White jute, Corchorus capsularis, is one of the two jute plants that give the golden fibre of Bengal, used for sacks, ropes, mats and, increasingly, eco-friendly bags. India and Bangladesh grow most of the world’s jute. White jute tolerates waterlogging better than tossa jute, so it is grown in low-lying, flood-prone fields.
- Botanical name
- Corchorus capsularis L.
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Tamil
- Senchana
- Hindi
- Pat
- Parts used
- Bast fibre, Young leaf (sometimes)
- Habit
- White jute; shop jute is a genus word
- Last updated
- 2026-10-26
How to recognise White jute
It is a tall, slender annual, two to four metres high, with long, narrow, toothed leaves and few branches.
Small yellow, five-petalled flowers grow singly or in small clusters opposite the leaves.
The fruit is a round, wrinkled capsule. Tossa jute, Corchorus olitorius, has long, cylindrical pods.
The leaves of white jute are bitter, while tossa leaves are eaten as a vegetable in many countries.
Traditional use of White jute
Fibre
The stems are cut, bundled and soaked in ponds or slow water for two to three weeks, until bacteria loosen the fibre from the stem. That process is called retting. The fibre is then stripped, washed and dried.
Bengal and Assam practice
Kitchen
In Bengal the bitter young leaves, called nalita or pat shak, are fried or cooked in small amounts.
Bengali food practice
Modern notes on White jute
Jute is biodegradable and grows quickly, which makes it an environmentally attractive fibre compared with plastics.
Retting pollutes water and the work is hard. Researchers have developed microbial retting methods to make it faster and cleaner.
White jute safety
The leaves are eaten only in small amounts, because they are bitter. The seeds contain cardiac glycosides and are toxic.
Ecology and sourcing
It is grown in the Ganges–Brahmaputra delta, in West Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Bangladesh.
Its tolerance of standing water makes it suitable for low-lying fields that flood in the monsoon.
The leaves that fall during growth enrich the soil.
Related plants
Also in Malvaceae
Questions about White jute
How is White jute different from tossa jute?
White jute has round capsules and bitter leaves. Tossa has long pods and sweeter leaves.
What is retting?
Soaking stems in water so bacteria loosen the fibre.
What is jute used for?
Sacks, ropes, mats, bags and textiles.
Sources
- Corchorus capsularis L. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q3190566 (Corchorus capsularis)
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.