Blue thunbergia
Thunbergia lancifolia
Family: Acanthaceae
What it is like
A herb. It has an erect stem 60-90 cm high. It has a woody rhizome. The leaves vary from narrow to more broadly oval. The flowers are tube shaped. They are blue with an orange-yellow throat. The fruit is a capsule and covered with fine hairs.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. In Malawi it grows at high altitude. It grows in dry savannah that is burnt often. It also grows in open woodland. It grows between 1,000-1,800 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The young leaves are cooked and eaten. Flowers are sucked for their sweetness.
A minor vegetable eaten locally in times of food scarcity.
Edible parts
Leaves, flowers - nectar, vegetable
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Jandalala, Malavu masonguia, Mlombwe, Mndombwe, Mwanaluni