Purple witchweed
Striga hermonthica

Family: Orobanchaceae

What it is like

An erect herb. It grows partly on other plants. It has a few branches. It grows 30-40 cm high. It can be 1 m high. The flowers are bright pink.

It has also been out in the family Scrophulariaceae. This is a serious parasitic plant to food crops. It can be controlled in sorghum crops by planting Celosia argentea between the sorghum plants.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry grassy areas in West Africa.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, East Africa, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Senegal, West Africa

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves - flavouring

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Data, Djida, Ndokum, Saga, Shilo, Silo

Synonyms

Buchnera hermonthica Delile; Striga senegalensis Benth.;