Xu duan
Dipsacus japonicus
Family: Caprifoliaceae
What it is like
A herb. It can complete its life-cycle over 2 years but may live longer. It grows 1.5 m tall. The stems are branched and have ridges along them. There are spines on the ridges. The leaves at the base are in a ring. The leaves on the stem are opposite and 8-25 cm long by 3-10 cm wide. There are spiny hairs underneath. The leaves often have lobes. The flowers are pink, purple or red.
There are 15 Dipsacus species. Also put in the family Dipsacaceae.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows on grassy slopes below 2,00 m above sea level in China.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Japan, Korea
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Leaves