Sedge plant
Lippia kituiensis

Family: Verbenaceae

What it is like

A herb or shrub. It grows 1-2 m high. It has many branches. It is aromatic. The stems are hairy. The bark is rough and there are cracks along it on old stems. The leaves are oval and 10 cm long. They are opposite and have rounded teeth along the edges. They are rough above and softly hairy underneath. The flowers are white or cream. The fruit are made up of 2 dry sections with a seed in each. They are small and red but edible.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in grassland and often on rocky ground. It grows between 400-2,550 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania

How it is used for food

The green leaves are used to make tea. They are boiled and sugar added, The ripe fruit and seeds are eaten.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea, fruits, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Fruit are collected during the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Efurie, Isinon, Luhongole, Mersayan, Mpugambu, Muthiethi, Muthitti, Muthyeti, Mvuti, Sinoni, Ufani

Synonyms

Lippia ukambensis Vatke;