White Jute
Corchorus capsularis

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 1-2 m high. The leaves are alternate. The leaves are oval but long. They have teeth along the edge. Leaves are about 5-10 cm long by 1.5-3 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 1-4 cm long. Flowers are in the axils of leaves. Flowers are small and yellow. The fruit are round capsules. They have 10 ribs. The seed are 1.2 cm long by 1 cm wide. The seeds are angular.

There are about 100 Corchorus species. It is high in proVitamin A.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Nepal it grows to about 1200 m altitude. It grows in wetlands. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, China, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The young leaves are blanched then fried with garlic and eaten with boiled rice. The leaves are used as a substitute for tea.

It is sold in markets. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, leaves - tea

How it is grown

It is grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Ananba, Awachuwaey, Bagi pat, Chench arxa, Chinalitapat, Cho-pee-law, Chunch, Day dai, Deshi Paat, Desipat, Fotokani, Gon-shaw, Jelita, Jut, Kalasaka, Kaskomran, Ma ye, Morapat, Nalita, Narcha, Pat, Patshak, Patt, Patuwa, Paw kachao, Pilaw, Pilaw-yin, Pokok betong, Sada pat, Titamara, Titapat

Synonyms

Corchorus cordifolius Salisb.; Corchorus marua Buch.-Ham.;