Oxygonum salicifolium
Family: Polygonaceae
What it is like
A slender trailing herb. It has many branches. The stems can be 1 m long. The leaves are alternate and simple. The sheath around the stem is cylinder shaped and 1 cm long and has red hairs at the end. The leaves are narrowly oval and 3-7 cm long by 2-20 mm wide. The flowers are in a spike like group 12-20 cm long. The flowers are tube shaped. The fruit is a softly hairy nut.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. In Kenya it grows in coastal regions.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Kenya, Tanzania
How it is used for food
The leaves are cooked and eaten. They are often cooked with other leaves to improve the taste.
It is harvested from the wild and is of minor and local importance.
Edible parts
Leaves, vegetable
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Bamba, Kimbiri, Kindiri