Mhacha
Acalypha bipartita

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

There are over 450 Acalypha species. They are tropical. There are 225 in tropical America.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It often grows near rivers. It grows in forest undergrowth. It grows between 1,000-1,500 m above sea level. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall of 900-1,500 mm.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda

How it is used for food

The young leaves and shoots are eaten as a vegetable. They are usually chopped and added to beans and eaten with the staple food.

It is occasionally sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ayuu, Ayuyu, Egoza, Ejerengesa

Synonyms

Ricinocarpus bipartitus (Mull. Arg.) Kuntze;