Emilia lisowskiana

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It is erect and grows 90 cm high. The leaves are alternate and simple. The lower leaves have stalks with wings. The blade is spoon shaped or narrowly oval. It is 3.5 cm long by 3 cm wide. The higher leaves are larger and broadly oval and 9 cm long by 6 cm wide. The flowers are at the top. There are 2-4 groups together in a head made up of 12-16 flowers. They are yellow or orange.

This one has often been misidentified as Emilia coccinea. These 2 are similar but in different locations.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in forests up to 1,700 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, West Africa, Zambia

How it is used for food

It is only of local importance.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Emilia coccinea auct. non (Sims) G. Don.;