Melhania ovata

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It has many branches and is low growing. The leaves are broadly oval and 2-2.5 cm long by 1.5-1.8 cm wide. They are hairy on both surfaces. There are teeth along the edge. The flowers can occur singly or in groups or 2-4 in the axils of leaves. They are 1.5 cm across and yellow. The fruit is an oval capsule.

There are about 60 Melhania species. Also put in the family Sterculiaceae and Pentapetaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry or desert areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Atlantic, Australia, Cape Verde, Chad, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mauritania, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Plant

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Lolo-branco, Mato-branco

Synonyms

Brotera ovata Cay.; Melhania abyssinica A. Rich.; and others