Pupalia lappacea var. velutina

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It is hairy and spreads along the ground. It can grow each year from seeds or keep growing from year to year. The leaves are opposite and can be oval or rounded. They are 10 cm long. They narrow at the base to a short stalk. The leaves are hairy on both sides. The flowers are very small and papery. They can be yellow to purple or red. They are in alternate clusters 13 mm across. These are at the ends of the branches. The fruit are oval capsules 2.5 mm long. They have a very small brown seed.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry bushland. In Tanzania it grow from sea level to 2,100 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Botswana, East Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar, North Africa, Philippines, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Uganda

How it is used for food

The young leaves are chopped and washed and cooked. They are mixed with coconut milk or peanuts then eaten with maize or rice.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds.

Leaves are collected during the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Ilamata, Lulyamindi, Mamata, Mnasa nguo, Mumhai

Synonyms

Pupalia atropurpurea (Lam.) Moq.; Probably Pupalia velutina ;