Lobelia fervens

Family: Campanulaceae

What it is like

A herb. It can grow from seed each year or live for a few years. It can be erect or lie over. It grows 10-60 cm high. The stem can form roots at the lower nodes. The stems are triangle shaped and with wings. The leaves are 2-5 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. They are narrow and taper to the tip. The flowers are in long loose groups in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The fruit is a narrow cone shaped capsule. The seeds are oval and 0.4 mm long.

There are about 400 Lobelia species. They have also been put in the family Lobeliaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in damp places. It grows from sea level to 1,800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Brazil, Comoros, Congo DR, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Reunion, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked and then served with rice of other dishes.

Edible parts

Leaves, stem, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Shambaai

Synonyms

Dortmannia fervens (Thunb.) Kuntze; Rapuntium fervens (Thunb.) C. Presl;