Dicliptera paniculata

Family: Acanthaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows about 1 m tall. The stem has 6 sharp ribs. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are 5-10 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The flowers are purple and in loose groups. The fruit is a capsule with 4 seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Cameroon, India, Indochina, Mali, Mauritania, Middle East, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Vietnam, West Africa

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Barakala

Synonyms

Dianthera paniculata Forssk.; Justicia ligulata Lam.; Peristrophe paniculata (Forssk.) Brummitt; and others