Melochia melissifolia
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
A herb that lies along the ground. It keeps growing from year to year. It can be a bush 1.5 m high. The stems have soft hairs.
Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It often grows as a weed in rice fields and is widespread across tropical Africa. It grows in woodland, wet grass savannah and palm groves. It can be along the edges of lakes.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, America, Belize, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, East Africa, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South America, Suriname, West Africa
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Leaves, vegetable
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Depe, Fandami, Funkainyi, Quebe