Talinum portulacifolium

Family: Talinaceae

What it is like

A stout herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It can be softly woody. The stems are grey and sprawling. The root is thickened. The flowering stems are succulent. It grows 1 m high or 2 m long if lying over. The leaves are slightly fleshy. They are broadly oval and 2-8 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. The flowers are in groups at the top of the plant. They are along a 30 cm logn stalk. Flowers have both sexes. The fruit is a round capsule. It has 3 valves.

There are about 50 Talinum species. They grow in warm places. Also put in the family Portulacaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 300-1,850 m above sea level. It grows in dry soils often over limestone material. It can grow in arid places. It grows in the lowlands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Arabia, Asia, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malawi, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The whole plant is cut and boiled and used as a vegetable. It is also eaten raw in salads. The leaves can be dried for later use.

It is a minor vegetable. Leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

It can be grown by seeds or cuttings.

Leaves are collected during the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Aby, Amondi, Arum, Chiniasag ,Dongdongi, Leshursin, Lokoromolok, Longoromolok, Mama, Mobatow, Moshkabati, Muiki, Nanki-Lani, Ndele, Sambarcheera, Spinach, Tonge

Synonyms

Claytonia cuneifolia Kuntze; Orygia portulacifolia Forssk.; Portulaca cuneifolia Vahl; Talinum cuneifolium (Vahl) Willd.; Talinum indicum Wight & Arn.;