River nettle
Laportea peduncularis

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is slender and often grows as an annual. It grows 3 m high. It can be scrambling. It has a few stinging hairs. The leaves are alternate and widely spaced. The leaf blades are 12 cm long by 6 cm wide. The stalks can be 8 cm long. There are teeth along the edge and the leaf tapers to the tip. The leaves are pale underneath. The flowers are green. They are in small clusters.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in upland mountain forest. It grows between 1,100-1,700 m above sea level. It grows in dense shade and often near streams.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves and flowers are cooked as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bosbrandnetel, Bubati, Dzaluma, Lubati, Imbabazane, Imbathi, Inkwaze

Synonyms

Fleurya capensis var. mitis Wedd.; Fleurya mitis Wedd.; Fleurya peduncularis Wedd.;