Family: Asteraceae
Synonyms: Crassocephalum diversifolium,Gynura crepidioides,Gynura diversifolia,Gynura microcephala, Gynura polycephala.Senecio crepidioides.Senecio diversifolius.
Common Name: Okinawa Spinach
Local Name: Lal phulnu ghaa (लाल फुलनू घा)

Lal phulnu ghaa is a perennial herb of Western Himalaya growing up to 1 metre tall.
It is found growing as a weed in waste places, grassland, under trees, abandoned farm land, and backyard gardens. Tender shoots and leaves of this plant make an excellent substitute to spinach that might be the reason that the common name ‘Okinawa Spinach’ is given to it. Local name lal phulnu ghaa is perhaps given due to yellowish reddish flowers of it. Lal phulnu ghaa grows best in shady moist habitats rich in humus. It can grow upto an altitude of 2000m in Western Himalaya. It is native to tropical Africa, but now well naturalized in India and considered as a weed to be removed.  Lal phulnu ghaa can easily be propagated either by seed or by cuttings. Light, plumed seeds of this plant are easily distributed by the wind and help this plant to grow luxuriantly even to distant areas.

Lal phulnu ghaa growing wild

Tender shoot terminals, leaves and roots of this plant are edible and eaten both raw and cooked.  Leaves are taken in salad for their distinctive, pine or nutty flavour which is sharp but not bitter. Lal phulnu ghaa is highly admired and appreciated around the world for its special flavour. In south-western Nigeria it is popularly used in soups and stews. Firstly leaves are blanched, excess water is drained off, and then cooked with peppers, onions, tomatoes, melon and sometimes fish or meat to make soups and stew1. In Sierra Leone the leaves are also popular and are made into a sauce with groundnut paste 1. In Australia it is eaten as a salad green, either cooked or raw 1. Its roots are eaten with chilli sauce in Thailand2.

Lal phulnu ghaa

In India especially in villages of north India tender plant parts are cooked as leafy vegetable saag along with other edible greens of spring or rainy season. Here women in villages usually collect more than 40 cultivated and wild growing edible herbs for making saag. in this  practice  they wisely  include a variety of naturally growing herbs along with cultivated greens in desirable quantities. This practice not only makes vegetables delicious but also enriches them with minerals, vitamins and medicines. This practice of utilizing plants growing around , identifying them  and taking medicinal food once in a week is passed from generation to generation. But a sharp decline has been noticed in  this practice  due to modernisation, urbanisation and westernisation. It need to be revived to boost our health and Immunity.  Lal phulnu ghaa can also be included in various traditional and modern dishes like Kachru, soups, pakoras, parantha, oats, poha, pasta etc.

Close-up of edible leaves of Lal phulnu ghaa

Lal phulnu ghaa is harvested from the wild habitat as a source of food, fodder and medicine for local personal use. It  is widely cultivated as a food crop in the tropics and also sold in the market as vegetable, It has escaped from cultivation in many areas and become an invasive weed in some places 2,3 .

Lal phulnu ghaa Plant:

Plant is is an erect little-branched perennial smooth or finely hairy herb growing 1 m tall.

Lal phulnu ghaa leaf morphology

Leaves with lamina elliptic to ovate in outline; lowest leaves lyrate-pinnately cut, up to 20 cm long and 10 cm wide, base often with a pair of stipule-like lobes, margins coarsely toothed; upper leaves smaller, not lobed or with a lobe each side towards base; petiole up to 4 cm long.

Flower head of Lal phulnu ghaa

Heads in cymes, few to many, nodding at first, later erect; heads 4 mm diameter. Flower heads are cylindrical, green, with red florets visible on top.

Seeds are floating balls of numerous silky white hair.

Edible Uses:

Tender shoot terminals and leaves are eaten as vegetables exclusively or in addition with other available greens. These can be an excellent addition to parantha, kachru, pakoras, soups and any other dish as a green due to its unique pine or nutty flavour.

Collecting Lal phulnu ghaa

Saag:

Ingredients:

Lal phulnu ghaa, and other wild potherbs, 1 kg; mustard oil, 2 tablespoons; coriander powder 1 tablespoon; fenugreek powder, ½ table spoon; cumin seed ¼ tablespoon; turmeric powder, 1/4 tablespoon; red chilies, 2-3; chopped onions 2-4; garlic, 4-5 cloves; ginger paste ½ table spoon and salt according to taste.

Leaves of Lal phulnu ghaa collected for cooking

Method:

Boil chopped plant parts and they become soft. Then mesh manually or in a mixer. Then sauté with hot mustard oil and the spices listed before in sequence. This sauted saag is then ready and can be served as such or can be mixed with 2 or 3 chopped onions and cooked for another 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Saag from Lal phulnu ghaa

Soup:

Ingredients:

Locally available vegetable (chopped) of summers and lal phulnu ghaa,1/2 kg; mint leaves,10-15 (chopped); corn flour, 1 spoon; black pepper powder,1/4 tea spoon, salt acc.to taste.

Method:

Boil leaves and vegetables in one litre water till they are soft, mesh these manually and sieve the extract in a container. Add to it mint leaves, corn flour, black pepper and salt, then boil for 5-10 minutes. Now soup is ready to serve

Soup with addition of Lal phulnu ghaa

Kachru or sosaru:

Kachru is a traditional dish of Western Himalaya cooked as chilla with spices and basen or corn flour. It is served as a evening snack with tea/ chutney/tomato ketch-up.

Ingredients:

For preparing a kachru, ingredients required are 1/2kg fresh lal phulnu ghaa leaves,  300kg besan (black grampowder) or corn flour. 1 cup amount fresh coriander leaves,1/2 table spoon ajwain, 3-5 green chillies, ½ table spoon turmeric powder, 2-3 chopped onions and salt according to taste

Method:

Make a paste of leaves, besan or corn flour and spices. Heat some oil on a flat heating pan. Put this paste over a pan and cook for 15 to 20 minutes then kachru will be ready to serve.

Kachru prepared with leaves of Lal phulnu ghaa

Nutritional value:

100 g dry Matter contains: 85.08%; Crude Protein: 27.17%; Crude Fibre: 8.13%, Ether extract; 12.45%, Ash: 17.31%; Organic matter: 82.69%; Metabolizable energy(Kcal/g): 2.64. Mineral Content is Fe: 0.056%; Mn: 7.87%; Na: 0.09%; K:0.07%; Mg: 0.04%; Ca: 0067% 4.

Phytochemicals:

Phytochemicals present in powdered samples are flavonoid, phenol, oxalate, tannin, saponin, phytate and ascorbic acid but no alkaloid 5..

Medicinal Uses:

Locally plants are eaten to improve digestion, A leaf lotion or decoction is used to treat headaches 1. A mixture of the leaf sap, combined with Cymbopogon giganteus, is used orally and externally for the treatment of epilepsy .Applied externally, the leaf sap is used as a treatment for fresh wounds 1. The dried leaf powder is applied as a snuff to stop nose bleeding and smoked to treat sleeping sickness1.Tannin found in the roots of the plant is used to treat swollen lips1. A lotion of leaves is used as a mild medicine that strengthens the stomach and excites its action.

Other Uses:

Used as fodder and supposed to enhance milk yield in milch cattle.

Source of income:

Lal phulnu ghaa is a commercially cultivated crop in many parts of the world.  In Western Himalaya tender plant parts are collected from natural habitat and sold in local markets along with Amaranthus spp. Thus it is an easy source of income for local people.

References:

1.  Website: http://www.prota.org

2.  http://www.hear.org/pier/scientificnames/index.html 

3.         Martin, F. W., Ruberte, R. M., & Meitzner, L. S. (1998). Edible leaves of the tropics/; by Franklin W. Martin, Ruth M. Ruberte, Laura S. Meitzner.

4.         Dairo, F. A. S., & Adanlawo, I. G. (2007). Nutritional quality of Crassocephalum crepidioides and Senecio biafrae. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition6(1), 35-39.

5.         Arawande, J. O., Komolafe, E. A., & Imokhuede, B. (2013). Nutritional and phytochemical compositions of fireweed (Crassocephalum crepidioides). Journal of Agricultural Technology9(2), 439-449.

304 thoughts on “Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S.Moore –  Lal phulnu ghaa (लाल फुलनू घा)

  1. Can I simply say what a relief to uncover someone who really understands what they are discussing on the internet. You certainly know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people ought to look at this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe you arent more popular since you certainly have the gift.

  2. I was pretty pleased to discover this page. I want to to thank you for ones time for this fantastic read!! I definitely enjoyed every part of it and i also have you saved as a favorite to check out new things in your web site.

  3. Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon everyday. It’s always interesting to read through content from other writers and use a little something from their sites.

  4. Hi there, There’s no doubt that your blog could possibly be having web browser compatibility issues. When I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, fantastic blog!

  5. I was pretty pleased to discover this great site. I need to to thank you for ones time for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it and I have you book-marked to check out new things in your site.

  6. Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It will always be useful to read content from other authors and use something from their web sites.

  7. Having read this I thought it was extremely informative. I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this content together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it.

  8. Howdy! I just would like to offer you a huge thumbs up for your great information you have here on this post. I am returning to your website for more soon.

  9. Hello! I simply wish to offer you a big thumbs up for your great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your website for more soon.

  10. After going over a number of the articles on your site, I really appreciate your way of writing a blog. I book marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my website too and let me know how you feel.

  11. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am encountering difficulties with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I can’t join it. Is there anyone else getting the same RSS problems? Anyone that knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanks.

  12. Next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesn’t fail me just as much as this particular one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read through, however I truly believed you would have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you weren’t too busy looking for attention.

  13. Can I simply say what a comfort to discover a person that really knows what they are discussing over the internet. You certainly know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people have to look at this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you are not more popular because you most certainly possess the gift.

  14. That is the precise blog for anyone who needs to seek out out about this topic. You understand a lot its almost exhausting to argue with you (not that I truly would want?HaHa). You positively put a brand new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

  15. I was recommended this web site by means of my cousin. I am no longer certain whether or not this submit is written by means of him as nobody else recognise such special about my problem. You’re incredible! Thank you!

  16. Howdy, I believe your blog could possibly be having internet browser compatibility problems. Whenever I take a look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Other than that, great blog!

  17. Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always helpful to read through content from other writers and practice a little something from their web sites.

  18. This is the right web site for everyone who would like to understand this topic. You understand so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually will need toÖHaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic that has been written about for decades. Excellent stuff, just great!

  19. Can I simply just say what a comfort to find an individual who genuinely understands what they’re discussing on the web. You certainly know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people really need to look at this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised that you aren’t more popular because you certainly have the gift.

  20. UFABET เว็บแทงบอลออนไลน์ ยอดนิยมที่มีผู้ที่ใช้งานเยอะที่สุดในขณะนี้ เพราะว่าพวกเราเป็นลำดับแรกๆประเด็นการบริการ และก็ ความยั่งยืนมั่นคงทางด้านการเงิน แถมมี คาสิโนออนไลน์ไว้ให้บริการอีกทั้ง สล็อต บาคาร่า รวมถึง เกมออนไลน์อีกเพียบเลย

  21. Aw, this was a really good post. Spending some time and actual effort to make a great articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I procrastinate a whole lot and don’t manage to get anything done.

  22. Howdy just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same results.

  23. Thank you for the good writeup. It if truth be told was once a entertainment account it. Glance advanced to far added agreeable from you! By the way, how could we keep up a correspondence?

  24. Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say superb blog!

  25. When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is addedI get four e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove mefrom that service? Appreciate it!

  26. An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I believe that you should write more about this issue, it might not be a taboo subject but generally folks don’t discuss these subjects. To the next! All the best!!

  27. You are so interesting! I don’t suppose I’ve truly read through a single thing like this before. So nice to find somebody with a few genuine thoughts on this topic. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This website is one thing that’s needed on the web, someone with a little originality!

  28. I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thoughtthis post was good. I do not know who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger if youaren’t already 😉 Cheers!

  29. If you haven’t already, read Joe Mozingo’s book, The Fiddler on Pantico Run: An African Warrior, His White Descendants, A Search for Family. Shares a lot of history on the Mozingo family.

  30. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing in your feed and I am hoping you write once more very soon!

  31. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.

  32. I’m pretty pleased to discover this great site. I want to to thank you for ones time for this particularly wonderful read!! I definitely savored every little bit of it and i also have you saved to fav to look at new stuff on your blog.

  33. Having read this I believed it was very informative. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this content together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

  34. After I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. Is there an easy method you can remove me from that service? Many thanks!

  35. Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article.I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info.Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely comeback.

  36. Iím impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog thatís both educative and interesting, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I found this in my hunt for something concerning this.

  37. Your method of explaining the whole thing in this post is truly nice,every one be capable of easily be aware of it, Thanks a lot.

  38. No matter if some one searches for his necessary thing, therefore he/she wishes to be available that in detail, so that thing is maintained over here.

  39. I blog quite often and I truly thank you for your information. This article has really peaked my interest. I am going to take a note of your blog and keep checking for new details about once per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.

  40. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremelywell written article. I’ll make sure to bookmarkit and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post.I’ll certainly return.

  41. Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after going through some of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m certainly happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!

  42. I was curious if you ever considered changing the layout of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?

  43. Hi, I do believe this is a great website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I’m going to revisit once again since I bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.

  44. Next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not disappoint me just as much as this one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read through, however I genuinely thought you’d have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something you could possibly fix if you were not too busy seeking attention.

  45. Iím impressed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog thatís equally educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is an issue that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy I stumbled across this during my hunt for something concerning this.

  46. You are so interesting! I do not believe I have read something like that before. So wonderful to discover someone with a few original thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is required on the web, someone with a little originality.

  47. Your style is so unique compared to other folks I’ve read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just bookmark this page.

  48. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after looking at many of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m definitely pleased I came across it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!

  49. You made some good points there. I looked on the internet for more information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.

  50. You’re so cool! I don’t think I have read through something like this before. So great to find someone with a few original thoughts on this subject. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is one thing that is needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality.

  51. I blog frequently and I really appreciate your content. This great article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to take a note of your website and keep checking for new information about once a week. I opted in for your Feed as well.

  52. Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after going through many of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely happy I stumbled upon it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back often.

  53. Hi, I do believe this is an excellent blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will revisit once again since i have bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.

  54. You’re so interesting! I don’t believe I have read a single thing like this before. So good to discover another person with genuine thoughts on this subject. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that is required on the internet, someone with a bit of originality.

  55. I seriously love your site.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you build this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own blog and would like to find out where you got this from or what the theme is called. Many thanks.

  56. I’ve been browsing on-line greater than three hours today, yet I by no means found any fascinating article like yours. It’s beautiful value enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made excellent content material as you probably did, the web might be much more useful than ever before. “Where facts are few, experts are many.” by Donald R. Gannon.

  57. Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this content together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  58. Hi! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog. Is it very hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Cheers

  59. Link exchange is nothing else except it is only placing the other person’s weblog link on your page at proper place and other person will also do same in favor of you.

  60. Hello! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *