Oldenlandia lancifolia

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A straggling annual herb. It branches from the base into simple stems. These are 20-60 cm long. The leaves are opposite or in rings of 3. They are narrowly sword shaped. The flowers usually occur singly. The fruit is a flattened capsule. It is 2-3 mm long and has a beak.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in wet places between 600-1,560 m above sea level. It grows on river banks.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Gabon, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Madagascar, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Suriname, Venezuela, West Africa

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Hedyotis lancifolia Schumach.;