Mitracarpus hirtus

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

An erect herb. It grows 10-40 cm tall. The stems has few branches. The leaves are narrowly oval and 1-6 cm long by 0.5-2 cm wide. There are flowering groups in the axils of the leaves.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 1,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, East Africa, Guinea, Guinée, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Marianas Is. Mauritania, Myanmar, New Guinea, Nigeria, SE Asia, Seychelles, South America, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia

How it is used for food

The young leaves are boiled and eaten as a vegetable. The roots are cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Roots, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Banda nzazi, Talu

Synonyms

Mitrocarpus verticillatus (Schumach. & Thonn.) Vatke; Mitrocarpus villosus (Sw.) DC.; Spermacoce hirta L.; Staurospermum verticillatum Schumach. & Thonn.; and many others