Cyathula orthacantha

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It is erect and has many branches but can also lie along the ground. It grows 1.5 m tall. The stems and branches have white hairs when young. They become angular. The leaves are narrowly oval and vary in shape. They can be 1-15 cm long and 5.5 cm wide. The tip is pointed and it narrows to the base. The flowers can be white to pale green or red. They are near the ends of branches. The flowers are in groups forming rounded heads 4-6 cm wide. The fruit is a small one seeded capsule. These form as a burr about 15. cm across.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young leaves are used as a vegetable. They are cut into pieces, washed, cooked and then have peanut paste added.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Leaves are collected in the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Ilamata, Muhuhuoi, Muila-ngoto, Namata, Somwambisi

Synonyms

Cyathula kilimandscharica Suess. & Beyerle; Cyathula orthocanthoides Suess.; Pupalia orthocantha Hochst. ex Asch.; Sericocomopsis orthacantha (Schinz) Peter;