Begonia macrocarpa
Family: Begoniaceae
What it is like
An erect herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 110 cm tall. The stems are succulent and swollen at the nodes. The leaves are alternate and simple. They are 4-15 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. They are heart shaped at the base. The flowering stalks are in the axils of leaves and male and female flowers are separate. The fruit are winged capsules.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Guinée, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, West Africa
How it is used for food
The leaves are cooked and eaten as an acid substitute for sorrel. It is eaten with fish or meat in stews.
It is a minor vegetable.
Edible parts
Leaves, vegetable