Bitter leaf
Gymnanthemum amygdalinum

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-8 m tall. The trunk can be 40 cm wide. The leaves are narrowly oval and taper to the tip. They are 9-17 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. The flowers are white or pale red.

It is used as a medicine to treat malaria.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 600-2,800 m bove sea levl

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, East Africa, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinée, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are used in soups.

It is a cultivated plant. It is popular.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Yoloyolo

Synonyms

Vernonia amygdalina Del.; Decaneurum amygdalinum (Del.) DC.; Vernonanthura condensata (Baker) H. Ron.; Vernonia bahiensis Toledo; Vernonia condensata Baker; Vernonia sylvestris Glaz. [Illegitimate];