Kindiri, Bamba
Oxygonum sinuatum

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows up to 60 cm high. It is a sprawling plant and the lower parts of the stems lie along the ground. The leaves taper at each end. The leaf stalk is expanded to form a tube around the stem. This often has soft bristles at the top. This tube is 0.5 cm long. The leaves can be simple or divided into rounded lobes. The flowers are on a long leafless stem. This can be 30 cm long. The fruit has a sharp point at the top and 3 sharp prickles near the middle.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It often grows on sandy soils. In Kenya it grows from sea level to 2,400 m altitude. In Uganda it is in areas with an annual rainfall of 1,000-1,600 mm.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked and eaten. They are slimy. They are made into a sauce or side dish. They are also eaten raw for their acid taste. The leaves can be dried and powdered for later use.

In some places it is a famine and and in other places a favourite dish. Locally it is a useful vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds.

Leaves are collected during the rainy season. They can be plucked from the plant or the stem bearing leaves cut.

Its other names

Local names

Adwalarach, Agwata-remo, Aketemir, Bulukutu, Chementril, Chew-mirahut, Chimbiri, Ciselu, Cuguru, Kabeta, Kachiwanga, Kacumita bagenge, Kafupa, Kalasaweni, Mbigili, Mororoqissa, Nchonge, Ngonko, Nyatiend-gweno, Okure, Okuro, Saselesya, Song'e

Synonyms

Ceratogonum cordofanum Meisn.; Ceratogonum sinuatum Meisn.; Oxygonom atriplicifolium (Meisn.) Martelli var. sinuatum (Meisn.) Baker;