Munondo bur-marigold
Bidens schimperi

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 1.8 , tall. The leaves are roughly hairy. They are usually deeply divided into 3. The edges of the leaves are marked by a line of black dots. The flowers are yellow and larger than Bidens pilosa. The fruit have 2 hooked bristles.

There are about 200 Bidens species. Most are in North America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on arable land. It is also in woodland and on flood plains. It grows between 300-950 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. In Tanzania it grows from sea level to 2,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Central Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are bitter but are occasionally cooked and eaten. They are chopped and cooked and mixed with other leafy vegetables.

It is a famine food. Because it is bitter it is not liked.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Leaves are collected at the beginning of the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Kishonanguo, Lihna, Lizumba, Masanjala, Mbilidzongwe, Mosimama, Nacadadoli, Nyatwanga, Nyaweza

Synonyms

Bidens prolixa S. Moore;