Oxygonum atriplicifolium

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A herb. The stems are slender and are finely hairy along one side. There are many branches. The stems can be 1 m long. The leaves are wedge shaped at the base. The leaves are 25 cm long and 15 cm wide. The leaves are oval and entire. The flowers are white or greenish. The fruit have 3 spreading spines.

There are about 11 Oxygonum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows under hedges and in waste places. It grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Central Africa, East Africa, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, North Africa, Somalia, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked with potashes. It is a slimy vegetable.

It is a minor vegetable of some local importance. It has low palatability.

Edible parts

Leaves, stem, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ebabai, Lokibok

Synonyms

Ceratogonon atriplicifolium Meisn.; Ceratogonum atriplicifolium Meisn.; Polygonum atriplicifolium Wall.;