Ceylon Pellitory (Pouzolzia zeylanica),

Pouzolzia zeylanica, syn. Partietaria zeylanica (Ceylon Pellitory, Ceylon Lichwort, Graceful Pouzolz's-bush, BoraliBokua, Kalkuri, Kallurukki, Bula, Eddu, Bo-mam) this is subtropical herb, cousin of the nettles (family Urticaceae). 

This perennial procumbent herb creates small tuberous corms. In colder areas the shoots are annual. This plant has no stinging hairs or prickles. Flowers and fruits are inconspicuous. It creates lovely, medium size (about 0,4m = 1,3ft tall, but much more wider) herbaceous bushes and can be planted also as ornamental due to plenty of its small, dark green leaves. Both leafy shoots as tuberous roots are edible after cooking. Especially the first ones are delicious, when used as spinach. This herb can be easily propagated be small, black, shiny seeds – very similar to temperate pellitories (Parietaria spp.). They germinate without any pre-treatment, and should be sown surface in well-drained soil. It needs sunny or half-shade position, well-drained soil and medium watering. It can be grown in pots. The seeds are difficult to harvesting due to they are small (created in small groups in leaf axils) and fall down immediately when ripe. In my experience this plant has been not attacked by any diseases or other pests. Easy to growing. Now I am trying to winter it on sunny (western) windows sill at my home. 

 

Young shoot with flowers

Mature plant in summer

 

 

If you have available seeds of any rare nettle cousins (species which belongs to family Urticaceae) please write to me. I am looking for wild nettle cousins from worldwide – maybe they are common in your area, but they are very valuable for me.