Spurge nettle
Cnidoscolus multilobus

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A shrub. The leaves are alternate and 25 cm long by 30 cm wide. The leaves have 5 lobes. There are teeth along the edge. The flowers are white. The seeds are 1 cm across.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in humid regions. It Guatemala it grows to 900 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Belize, Central America, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico

How it is used for food

The young shoots are cooked and eaten. The flowers are eaten fried with eggs.

Edible parts

Shoots, leaves, flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ay, Chaya de monte, Chaya silvestre, Chichicastle, Mala mujer, Pica-pica blanca

Synonyms

Cnidoscolus macrandrus Lundell; Cnidoscolus multilobus subsp. multilobus; Jatropha multiloba Pax;