Foam bush, White head
Aerva leucura

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is 100-130 cm high. It often branches near the top. It is woolly and keeps growing from year to year. The leaves are alternate. The leaf blade is 5-8 cm long. It is egg shaped and tapers to both ends. They are dull green and covered with hairs. The flowers are small and white or yellow-white and in dense spikes. These are 2 cm long. The fruit is a small, dry capsule.

There are about 10 Aerva species in warmer climates. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It often grows on ant hills. It grows along roadsides. It can grow in arid places. In Tanzania it grows between 600-1,700 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are cooked with peanuts and other leaves and vegetables. They are used as a relish.

It is used early in the season when other vegetables are not yet available.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chidyonko, Fototo, Furanondo, Hoto, Kilindila, Kilindila, Kinonga, Lifweni, Mgungum mwenza, Mioma wa mbuya, Nyarotarota, Tlogotsweu

Synonyms

Aerva ambigua Moq.; Aerva edulis Suess.;