Bicolored-leaved vernonia, Silver leaved vernonia
Hilliardiella oligocephala

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A tufted herb. It grows from a woody rootstock. It grows 30-80 cm tall. It has a silvery grey coating. It produces stems each year. There are many stems. There are many leaves 4 cm long by 2 cm wide. The are oval or sword shaped. The leaves end abruptly in a sharp point. The upper surface is green and the lower surface is silvery grey. The flowers are funnel shaped and purple. The fruit are dry and one seeded.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is a plant that has adapted to tolerate fire in grassland. It grows in hot arid places. It grows between 15-2,340 m above sea level. It can grow again after fire. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are used to make a tea like drink. They are also eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ihlambihloshane, Mofolostane, Uhlunguhloshana

Synonyms

Vernonia elaeagnoides (DC.) Sch. Bip.; Vernonia kraussii Sch. Bip. ex Walp.; Vernonia oligocephala (DC.) Sch.Bip. ex Walp.; Hilliardiella smithiana (Less.) H. Rob.; Webbia elaeagnoides DC.; Webbia oligocephala DC.;