| Kalimeris indica | |
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| Inflorescence of Kalimeris indica | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Kalimeris |
| Species: | K. indica
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| Binomial name | |
| Kalimeris indica | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Kalimeris indica, also known as Indian aster or Indian Kalimeris, is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant of the family Asteraceae (Compositae). Kalimeris indica, like other species in the genus of Kalimeris, occurs mainly in eastern Asian countries of China, Korea and Japan,[2] and has been introduced to California[3] and Hawaii.[4]
Description[edit]
Kalimeris indica commonly occurs on abandoned farm land, slopes of hills and ridges between rice fields. It is also often found along roads and trails in hardwood forests. It can reproduce sexually through production of seeds and asexually through stolons. Seeds germinate in early spring. Newly emerged seedlings are small with each cotyledon being approximately 2 mm in length.
Indian aster can grow to a height of 30–70 cm. Leaves are alternate and stems are typically upright. Blooming starts in late spring and will continue into October depending on the location and growth conditions for the plant, particularly nutrient level in the soil. Disk florets are light yellow and ray florets are either light purple or white. Fruits of Indian aster are small and dark.
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Leaves, stems and inflorescence of Kalimeris indica -
A patch of Kalimeris indica along a rural road -
Dried Kalimeris indica inflorescence in winter time -
Newly emerged Kalimeris indica seedlings in early spring
Uses[edit]
Indian aster has wide culinary uses in East Asia. Young leaves and stems are collected in early spring time and cooked with other food items such as dried tofu (bean curd). It is considered a delicacy because of its special flavor. It is particularly popular south of Yangtze River in China where it is called 马兰头 malantou.
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Raw Kalimeris indica -
Stir fried malantou with xianggan -
Boiled Kalimeris indica leaves served with salted peanuts
References[edit]
- ^ "The Plant List: A Working List of all Plant Species".
- ^ Hong-ya Gu and Peter C. Hoch (1997). "Systematics of Kalimeris (Asteraceae: Astereae)". Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. 84 (4): 762–814. doi:10.2307/2992027. JSTOR 2992027.
- ^ Corlette, Jan. "Global Biodiversity Information Facility". Retrieved 5 December 2012.
- ^ "PLANTS Profile for Kalimeris indica | USDA PLANTS". Plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
Media related to Aster indicus at Wikimedia Commons