Wrinkled leaf Isodon
Isodon rugosus

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It is erect and has many branches. It grows to 1.5 m high. The small branches are slender. The stem leaves are opposite. The leaf stalk is 2-10 mm long. It is densely hairy. The leaf blade is oval and 1-3.5 cm long by 0.5-1.8 cm wide. It is papery. The edges are irregular. The flowering stalks near the base have up to 21 flowers while those near the tip have 3-5 flowers. The flower is white tinged with red. The nutlets are dark brown. They are 3 sided.

There are about 100 Isodon species. Most are in Asia.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In China it grows in thickets on hills and in valleys between 1800-2700 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Arabia, Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Middle East, Nepal, Northeastern India, Oman, Pakistan, Sikkim, Tibet

How it is used for food

The leaves are used to make a drink.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Krachay, Kurkuri, Salool, Zhou ye xiang cha cai

Synonyms

Plectranthus rugosus Wall. ex Benth.; Isodon plectranthoides Schrader ex Benth.; Isodon rugosus (Wall. ex Benth.) Murata;