Ganges primrose
Asystasia gangetica subsp. micrantha

Family: Acanthaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 20-30 cm tall. The stems can be erect or straggling. They are 4 sided in cross section. The nodes are 10-15 cm apart. The leaves are opposite and triangle shaped. They are 3-7 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. The flowers are tube shaped and 1.5 cm long. They have purple marks. The flowers are on one side of the 10 cm long flower stalk. The fruit is a dry capsule.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Central Africa, Congo DR, Kenya, Nigeria, Philippines, SE Asia, Uganda, West Africa

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seeds. It can be grown by layering or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Mpoto zi mbwo, Ndamimina, Pangi ya kuinini, N'sumbe

Synonyms

Asystasia ansellioides var. lanceolata Fiori; Asystasia capensis Nees; Asystasia micrantha (Nees) Y. F. Deng & N. H. Xia; and others