Horne-fruited jute
Corchorus tridens

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A tall erect branching herb. It grows to 60 cm tall. It grows each year from seeds. The branches are angular and can have some hairs. The leaves are simple and with teeth along the edge. There are a pair of stiff hairs at the bottom of the leaf and another pair where the leaf joins the stem. The flowers are small and yellow. The fruit are long thin pods. These are divided at the top into 3 short spreading horns.

There are about 100 Corchorus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They are widespread weeds throughout Africa. They grow on heavy darker soils and in areas with rainfall under 1000 mm. They can tolerate shade. It can grow in salty soil. It grows in hot arid areas. It grows between 30-1,400 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Chad, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Himalayas, India, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sahel, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked and eaten. They are used in vegetable dishes and in soups. The leaves can be dried and stored. The pods are used for a herbal drink.

It is an occasionally used vegetable. It is useful in dry climates. It is a cultivated food plant. It is a commonly used leaf in Mozambique. The leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, shoots, flowers, pods, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants grow easily from seed.

Leaves are collected during the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Dadi, Delele, Derere-renenje, Derere, Eiyo, Eteke, Gusha, Gwisha, Hachota, Idelele, Ifanhanyei, Isileleda, Koxolanhoun, Kibwando, Kimulikwi kidala, Koxolanhoun, Labelbada, Lalo baleo, Lalo bali, Legen, Ligusha, Maero, Malehiya, Mbodakh, Mlenda, Msafa, Namarete, Nkuse, Nop i khadji, Nzofe, Oloqloqota, Otigo-afuku, Ountcho, Phali, Quddah, Sanvoa, Senujaga, Sobo, Taxalupa, Tixante, Weakeh, Wilde jute, Zofon

Synonyms

Corchorus burmanii DC.; Corchorus senegalensis Juss. ex Steud.; Corchorus trilocularis Burm.f.;