Pilea johnstonii
Family: Urticaceae
What it is like
A herb. It is a robust plant with thick juicy stems. It grows 60 cm high. It grows from a creeping rhizome or underground stem. It does not have stinging hairs. The leaves are mostly broadly oval and 8.5 cm long by 7 cm wide. There are long spreading hairs on the veins under the leaves. There are teeth along the edge. The flowers are in half round clusters on long stalks in the axils of leaves. Male and female flowers are separate but usually on the same plant.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows between 1,400-2,300 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Leaves, vegetable
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Toopiteek