Rosinwood, Cressa
Cressa cretica
Family: Convolvulaceae
What it is like
A slender sub-shrub or herb. It grows 10-30 cm high. It can be erect or spreading. It has a tough woody rootstock. It can keep growing from year to year. The leaves are greyish and hairy. They are oval or sword shaped and have a heart shaped base. They do not have teeth. The flowers are yellow or pink. The flowers are borne in round clusters at the ends of branches. The corolla has a short tube and 5 spreading lobes which may curve back.
Where it is found
It grows from tropical to temperate places. It grows in sandy and muddy locations. It grows in wet grassland savannah. It can be on salt flats and near the shores of lakes. It is very salt tolerant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Bahrain, Central Asia, East Africa, Europe, France, Greece, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, India, Italy, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Portugal, Senegal, Spain, Tajikistan, Turkey, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, UAE, West Africa
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Meliah, M'puthlenkana