Chinese violet (Asystasia gangetica)

Asystasia gangetica, Chinese violet, is a soft, creeping herb of hedges, lawns and wasteland with cream to purple bell flowers. Its young leaves are cooked as a vegetable in parts of Africa and South Asia. Despite its name it is neither Chinese nor a violet. It is a member of the acanthus family native to Africa and Asia.

Botanical name: Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson
Family: Acanthaceae
Tamil: Paal keeri
Parts used: Young leaves
Habit: Creeping acanthus of hedges and waste
Last updated: 2026-10-26

How to recognise Chinese violet

It is a sprawling or climbing herb with soft, opposite, oval leaves and stems that root where they touch the ground.

Flowers are bell-shaped, about two to three centimetres long, cream to white with purple markings in the throat, or wholly mauve in some forms.

The fruit is a club-shaped capsule that splits explosively, flinging seeds several metres.

It forms dense mats that smother low plants.

It flowers through most of the year in humid places, and the flowers drop by the afternoon.

Traditional use of Chinese violet

Kitchen

Young leaves and shoots are cooked as greens in parts of Africa and occasionally in South India.

African and South Indian food practice

Modern notes on Chinese violet

Nutrition studies describe the leaves as a source of protein and minerals.

One subspecies, micrantha, is a serious invasive weed in Australia, the Pacific islands and Southeast Asian plantations.

Chinese violet safety

Eat only young leaves, cooked, where it is a known local food.

Ecology and sourcing

It is native to tropical Africa and Asia, including India.

Its explosive capsules and rooting stems let it spread fast through gardens and plantations.

Bees and butterflies visit the flowers.

In India it is a familiar hedge and lawn plant, kept in check mainly by regular weeding.

Related plants

Also in Acanthaceae

Questions about Chinese violet

Is Chinese violet a violet?

No. It is in the acanthus family.

What older names does Asystasia gangetica go by?

Justicia gangetica.

Is Chinese violet edible?

Young leaves are cooked as greens in some regions.

Is Chinese violet invasive in India?

It is native here and usually a garden weed rather than a serious invader.

What is the Tamil name of Asystasia gangetica?

Paal keeri.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.