Horn-fruited jute
Corchorus schimperi
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
A herb. It lies along the ground. It is an annual plant. The branches have a line of curled hairs along one side. The leaves are oblong to sword shaped. They are 5 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. There are a few hairs on the edges. There are rounded teeth along the edge. The flowers are in clusters of 1-3 in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is a 3 angled capsule. It can be 2.5 cm long.
These have also been in the Tiliaceae.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in sands and clays and grows between 1,310-1,950 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The leaves are cooked and eaten as a green vegetable.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Murere-luhya