કડવી છુંછ

Corchorus trilocularis

Wild jute

Native

Commonly known as East Indian Mallow, Gusha.

An annual, hairy-stemmed herb, 10-150cm tall, that has quietly become one of the most useful wild greens in places where it's spread, mainly because it's so effortless to cook: it needs little fuel and very little time before it's ready to eat.

The plant

Habit Shrub

Origin Native

Flowering Monsoon

Edible Yes

Growing it

Sun Full sun

Soil Sandy, black cotton, rich in organic matter

Life it supports

No specific wildlife-relationship data recorded for this species.

The story

No cultural-significance data recorded for this species.

What it is used for

Leaves and young shoots are cooked into a mucilaginous relish or soup, usually eaten with maize or another cereal, exactly the kind of low-effort, low-fuel meal that makes it popular.
Flowers are cooked as a vegetable too, or dried and ground into a powder to keep for the dry season.
Leaves are used as a plaster to reduce swelling, and seeds are used against gripe and nausea.

These uses are documented for information only and are not medical advice. Always verify the species and the plant part before use.

Where it is found

Pantropical, widespread through tropical Africa and tropical/subtropical Asia to Australia, typically on seasonally flooded clay soils, riverbanks, grassland, and disturbed ground with residual moisture.

Sources

Back to the repository