Asystasia gangetica

Chinese violet or Gangetic Primrose is a prolific weed. It is literally growing everywhere. It has very dainty, trumpet-like edible white flowers with five petals and a beautiful centre. The leaves are absolutely delicious. They resemble the most tender salad leaves, and have a slight mushroom-like taste. So much so that some people in Auroville refer to it as ‘mushroom spinach.’

We have cooked with Chinese Violet, but mostly we use it fresh in our salads. In the rains, it can be found growing lush and abundantly, but less so in the drier season. However, if we cultivate it in our gardens and give it a little water regularly, the Gangetic Primrose will thrive and it can be an alternative to lettuce with its incredible nutritional and medicinal value, as well as its very exquisite taste.

Rich in alkaloids and ascorbic acid, it is used to treat hypertension, rheumatism, asthma, diabetes mellitus, and as an anthelmintic.

Cultivating weeds is a very interesting idea, because they tick all the values of local foods i.e. they have exquisite medicinal and nutritional values, adapt to all sorts of conditions and require no maintenance. They are truly gifts from Mother Nature!

A fresh leaf so delicate,perfect for a salad!