Jew's Mallow (Corchorus olitorius)

Family: Tiliaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Jew’s Mallow or Corchorus olitorius is a tropical, annual herb that is upright, branching, and slightly woody. The leaves are shiny and have leaf stalks. The flowers are yellow and small and form into clusters in the axils of the leaves. The fruit are rigged capsules. The seeds are dull grey and with four faces and one long point. The leaves are used in the treatment of cystitis, gonorrhoea, and dysuria. The seeds are purgative.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. Young leaves are added to salads whilst older leaves are cooked as a pot-herb. The young leaves and stem tops are eaten cooked and are slimy unless fried. The leaves quickly become mucilaginous when cooked. — Leaves - raw or cooked.; Young leaves are added to salads whilst older leaves are cooked as a pot-herb.; The young leaves and stem tops are eaten cooked and are slimy unless fried.; The leaves quickly become mucilaginous when cooked.

Habitat & North American Range

Original habitat is obscure. (Zone 9)