Corbichonia decumbens

Family: Lophiocarpaceae

What it is like

A herb. The branches are rigid. It can be erect or lie along the ground. It can grow from seeds each year or grow for a few years. The leaves are narrowly oval and narrowed. They are 2-4 cm long by 1-2.6 cm wide. They are fleshy and have a short sharp tip at the end. The flowers are in groups about 10 cm long and the flowers are 5 mm across. The fruit is a papery capsule 5-6 mm across. It opens by 5 valves. The seeds are 1.1 mm long and black and shiny.

It is also put in the family Molluginaceae and Aizoaceae. There are 2 Corbichonia species.

Where it is found

It grows in tropical and subtropical places. In Pakistan it grows in rocky and sandy places and hot dry areas up to 1,000 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Botswana, Central Africa, Chad, East Africa, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritania, Middle East, Mozambique, Niger, North Africa, Pakistan, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Golijeru, Gnomai, Inyongwane, Inbongwane, Mocholo, Nhacapande, Sharunnay keeray, Xikhavichana

Synonyms

Glinus trianthemoides Heyne; Orygia decumbens Forsk.; Portulaca decumbens (Forsk.) Vahl; Talinum decumbens (Forssk.) Willd.; and others