Launaea intybacea

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. The stems are 1 m tall. It has milky sap. The leaves are crowded near the base. The leaves are 10-25 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. The leaves have lobes and there are teeth at the edge of the last lobes. The flowers are yellow.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Ethiopia it grows as a weed in farmer's fields in low and mid altitudes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Anguilla, Asia, Bahamas, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Central America, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Madagascar, Middle East, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, South America, West Indies, Yemen

How it is used for food

The young leaves are boiled and eaten. They are bitter unless well cooked. They are used as a potherb.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from pieces of the underground stem or rhizome.

It is available in wet times.

Its other names

Local names

Algodai-de-garca, Atheli, Athhelli, Hankolayita, Hanlolayita, Hawa, Lessan-albaqarah, Paja-de-leite, Pathari, Senthatti keerai, Serralha, Zarkoboti pa sapasthoke

Synonyms

Brachyramphus caribaeus DC.; Brachyramphus intybeus (Jacq.) DC.; Chondrilla indica Steud.; Chondrilla racemosa (Michx.) Poir.; Lactuca goraeensis (Lam.) Sch. Bip.; Lactuca intybacea Jacq.; Lactuca runcinata DC.; and others