Desert nettle
Forsskaolea viridis

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 1.2 m tall. It grows each year from seed. The stems have curved hairs. The leaves are oval to sword shaped and 18-40 cm long by 12-20 cm wide. There are teeth around the edge.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Djibouti, East Africa, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Namibia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Socotra, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Yemen

How it is used for food

The leaves are boiled as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Gubtaanyo

Synonyms

Chamardryfolia viridis Kuntze; Forsskaolea eenii Rendle;