祕魯苦蘵

植物簡介

Herbaceous plant which usually grows up to 1m in height. Leaves are simple and they exist asymmetrically in pairs at each node (alternate leaf arrangement). Leaf blade ranged from broadly ovate to cordate, with mostly entire leaf margin or sometimes with a few blunt lobes. Leaf blade has velvety texture. Flowers are yellow with distinct purplish brown spots at the flower throat. Surrounded by purplish green, 5-pointed hairy calyx, flowers are solitary and occurs at leaf axils. When the flower falls, the light brown calyx will enlarge and encloses the fruit. Globose fruit (1.5 cm – 2 cm in diameter) with smooth, glossy and orange-yellow skin. Fruit can be eaten raw and gives a sweet and aromatic taste. It can also be made into jam. Fruit contains numerous yellowish seeds, about 2 mm wide.