Fluted abutilon
Abutilon angulatum

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

It can be a problem weed.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Tanzania it grows between 100-2,700 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young leaves and flowers are used as a vegetable. They are cooked and eaten. Sometimes the flowers are first dried then cooked and eaten. The leaves can be dried and stored.

It is not widely eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, vegetable

How it is grown

It can be grown by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Afopotsy, Fiefie, Fyefye, Fyofyokoe, Nyalufungulo, Umushoshwe

Synonyms

Abutilon intermedium Hochst. ex Garcke; Abutilon intermedium var. figarianum Webb. ex Baker f.; Bastardia angulata Guill. & Perr.; Sida acutangula Steud.; Sida angulosa Bojer; Sida macrophylla Hils. & Bojer ex Baill.;