Gotu Kola

Centella asiatica — Apiaceae

Italiano: Centella — Pennywort

Description

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) belongs to the Apiaceae family and is native to Asia. It thrives in Wet places, Rice paddies, Damp tropical environments across regions including India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, China. Botanically, Gotu Kola is leafy herb raw salads drinks. Ayurvedic medicine. Memory herb.. It is also known locally as Pennywort. The edible parts include Leaves, Stems. With an edibility rating of 7/10, it ranks as a good wild food source. Harvesting is best done during August, December, July, June, November, October and September. Nutritionally, Gotu Kola stands out for its Vitamin K (200.0mg, 167% DV), Vitamin A (510.0mg, 57% DV) and Vitamin E (2.5mg, 17% DV). It also provides 1.1g protein and 2.0g dietary fiber per 100g serving. In the kitchen, Gotu Kola offers a Fresh herbaceous flavor profile. Raw juice tea salad. Common culinary applications include raw, juice, tea, salad. Popular preparations include Gotu kola juice, Sauteed greens with garlic, Wild green pesto, Leafy green soup. For storage, fresh 2d. Safety note: No toxicity. Antinutrient content is no significant. Always verify identification with at least three independent botanical sources before consumption.

🌿 Foraging Tips

Where to find: Grows in Wet places, Rice paddies, Damp tropical across India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, China.

🍳 Recipe: Gotu kola juice

Preparation method: Raw juice tea salad
Flavor profile: Fresh herbaceous
Edible parts: Leaves, Stems

This is one of the traditional ways to prepare this wild edible plant. Always ensure proper plant identification before cooking.

When to harvest: Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.
Lookalike (safe): No edible similar
⚠️ Lookalike (toxic): No poisonous
Tip: Always verify identification with multiple sources before consuming any wild plant. When in doubt, do not eat it.

Edibility

7/10
Toxicity: No toxicity
Antinutrients: No significant
Safe lookalikes: No edible similar
Dangerous: No poisonous

Harvest Calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Edible parts: foglie, steli
Preparation: Raw juice tea salad
Flavor: Fresh herbaceous

Nutrition (per 100g)

Protein: 1.1g
Fat: 0.1g
Fiber: 2.0g
Vitamin C: 15.0mg (16%DV)
Vitamin A: 510mcg (56%DV)
Vitamin E: 2.5mg (16%DV)
Vitamin K: 200mcg (166%DV)
Folate (B9): 10mcg (2%DV)
Calcium: 40.0mg (3%DV)
Iron: 1.0mg (5%DV)
Magnesium: 36mg (8%DV)
Potassium: 240mg (5%DV)
Zinc: 0.3mg (2%DV)

Culinary Uses: raw, juice, tea, salad Storage: Fresh 2d

Recipes

  • Gotu kola juice
  • Sauteed greens with garlic
  • Wild green pesto
  • Leafy green soup
  • Stir-fried Gotu Kola
  • Gotu Kola tempura
  • Gotu Kola and tofu soup

Where It Grows

Continent: Asia
Regions: India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, China
Habitat: Wet places, Rice paddies, Damp tropical
⚠️
Important: Always verify plant identification before consumption. This content is for informational purposes only. Consult reliable sources and experts before eating any wild plant. Improper identification can be dangerous.

Related Plants

🌿 Amaranth🌿 Angelica Tree🌿 Autumn Olive

Sources & References

Kew Plants of the World USDA PLANTS Wikipedia (EN)