Psychotria eminiana

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It has a woody rhizome. It grows 2-4 m tall. The leaves are opposite and simple. They are velvety underneath. The leaves are oval to round and 3-25 cm long by 2-13 cm wide. There are many flowers in a group. The fruit is round, 2 lobed and fleshy. It is 5-7 mm long by 7-10 mm wide. The seeds are a flattened round shape and 4.5 mm across. They are dark brown. It is a variable plant.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in woodland. It is usually on dry burnt ground or stony hills. It grows between 480-1,650 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, West Africa, Zambia

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked with ashes to produce a slimy vegetable.

It is a minor vegetable locally important in the dry season.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chisukunthu, Mchenjedi, Mhala

Synonyms

Grumilea flaviflora Hiern.; Grumilea stolzii K. Krause; Grumilea ungoniensis K. Schum. & K. Krause; Mapouria flaviflora (Hiern) Bremek; Psychotria dalzielii Hutch.; Psychotria eminiana var. stolzii (K. Krause) Petit; Psychotria humilis Hutch.; Uragoga eminiana Kuntze;