Commelina zambesica
Family: Commelinaceae
What it is like
A sprawling herb. It is pale green. It has weak upright stems 1 m high. It grows each year from seeds. The leaves are narrow and 10 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. The flowers are blue. The fruit capsule is unequal and oval. There is one large seed and 2 smaller seeds.
There are about 230 Commelina species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in woodland and grassland in northern Nigeria. In Ethiopia it grows between 580-1,480 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Ethiopia, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, West Africa, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The leaves are cooked as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Leaves, vegetable
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Ametegaella, Aretekodo, Gnok