Corchorus fascicularis

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 50-60 cm tall. The stem is woody. It can keep growing for a few years. The leaves have 3 ribs. They are narrowly oval and 2-6 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. There are 2-5 flower in a group. The flowers are yellow. They are 5-6 mm across.

These have also been in the Tiliaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in hot places. It can be along river banks and in flooded rice fields.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Arabia, Asia, Australia, Benin, Burkina Faso, East Africa, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, India, Kenya, Middle East, Myanmar, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, South Sudan, Tanzania, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked and eaten. The leaves, flowers and stems are dried and used in sauces.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, stems, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Awachuwaey, Djambo, Hirankhori, Kaala, Kamunwe, Khwe-pilaw, Kibwando, Mlenda, Nyaluhanga, Pilaw-thin-lon-byut

Synonyms

Corchorus brachycarpus Guill. & Perr.;