Arencho
Caylusea abyssinica

Family: Resedaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is erect and 1.5 m tall. The taproot is slightly woody. The leaves are alternate and the upper leaves can be in rings. They do not have leaf stalks. There can be a cluster of small leaves in the axils. The leaf blade is narrow and 2-9 cm long by 0.5-2.5 cm wide. The edges can be wavy and there can be teeth. The flowering stalk is like a spike and 40 cm long. The flowers have both sexes. The fruit is made up of one seeded sections spreading out like a star. The seeds are kidney shaped and 1.5 mm long by 1 mm wide. They are dark brown and wrinkled.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in open grassland between 1,500-2,750 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Burundi, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda

How it is used for food

The leaves are boiled as a vegetable. They are washed, chopped, cooked and eaten with other vegetables. It is popular where it is cooked with pounded cannabis seeds.

It is a minor vegetable. It is popular in some places. Leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Leaves are mostly collected during the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Mkalifya, Xomita, Ziambee

Synonyms

Reseda abyssinica Fresen.;