Commicarpus plumbagineus

Family: Nyctaginaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is a low spreading vine. It is slender and wide branching. It can grow several metres long. The leaves are in pairs. The blade is triangle shaped. It has a wavy edge. They are 5 cm long by 4 cm wide. The flowering axis is long and slender. They are in clusters at the ends of the branches. The flowers are white and funnel shaped. The fruit have wart like sticky glands along the side.

There are about 25 Commicarpus species. They are mostly in the tropics and subtropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on the edges of forest and near water. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 1,800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Arabia, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Europe, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Palestine, Rwanda, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Swaziland, Tanzania, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves, roots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cikata-mbuzi, Umunyaanziigirira

Synonyms

Boerhavia plumbaginea Cav.;