Forest false-nettle, Silky-berry
Acalypha glabrata

Family: Euphorbiaceae

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.

There are over 450 Acalypha species. They are tropical. There are 225 in tropical America.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It occurs in savannah woodland and stream banks. It grows in hot arid places. It grows between 5-1,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, stem - vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Isithombothi, Uthobothi tree

Synonyms

Acalypha glabrata Thunb. var. latifolia Muell. Arg.;