Willow-leaved justicia, Black malabar nut
Justicia gendarussa

Family: Acanthaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 1-4 m tall. It is often used as a hedge. It has purple and green smooth twigs. The leaves are sword shaped. They are 6-10 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. They are pointed at the end. The flowers are small and in 4-12 cm long spikes. The flowers occur in erect spikes. These can be at the end of the plant or in the axils of leaves. The flowers are white.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows near the edges of forests and near river banks up to 1,500 m above sea level. At MARDI. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten.

It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Leaves, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Addasaramu, Aduthoda gida, Bakas, Bawanet, Bishalya-karani, Bo Dajagipe, Bo gu xiao, Gandharasamu, Gandarusa, Gendarusa, Htingra-hpraw, Jagatmadan, Kah-gai-daeng, Kalaadulsa, Karinekki, Karinochil, Karunochchi, Kukurodonti, Mchul peech, Nallanochilli, Natchu kaddi, Nelavavili, Nila-nirgundi, Nilinargandi, Pha-wa-net, Tao, Tita-bahak, Titiria-sosoarong, Udisanbhalu, Vadaikkuthi, Vatcnkolli

Synonyms

Dianthera subserrata Blanco; Dicliptera rheedei Kostel.; Ecbolium gendarussa (Burm.f.) Kuntze; Gendarussa vulgaris Nees; Justicia gandarussa L.f.; Justicia vulgaris Nees.;