Dicliptera laxata
Family: Acanthaceae
What it is like
A straggling herb or small shrub. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1-5 m tall. The leaves are opposite and narrowly oval. They taper towards both ends. They are dark green. The flowers are in stalked clusters. There are a rind of green floral bracts around them. Each flower has 2 bracts. The flowers are tube shaped and white or pink. There are purple streaks. The fruit is an oval capsule about 1 cm long. It has 4 round black seeds.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in the high forest often in deep shade. It grows between 1,500-2,300 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda
How it is used for food
The leaves are used as a vegetable. The tender leaves are cooked and coconut milk or ground peanuts are added.
Edible parts
Leaves, vegetable
How it is grown
Leaves are harvested in the rainy season. The leaves can be dried and stored for a year.
Its other names
Local names
Nyamtitu