Kosteletzkya adoensis

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A scrambling herb or shrub. It keeps growing from year to year. It can be 2 m tall.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows near rivers in woodland in West and Central Africa. It grows between 1,000-2,350 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Arabia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Middle East, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as flavouring in sauces and other dishes. They are also used to flavour palm wine.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, manna

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kotrobato, Shugtalu

Synonyms

Hibiscus adoensis Hochst. ex A. Rich.; Hibiscus katangensis De Wild.; Kosteletzkya hispida Baker; Pentagonocarpus adoensis (A.Rich.) Kuntze; Pentagonocarpus backerianus Kuntze;