Tetu
Justicia insularis

Family: Acanthaceae

What it is like

A herb. It can grow each year from seed or grow for a few years. The stems are angular. They can be swollen at the base and have aerial roots. The leaves are opposite and clasp the stem. The leaves are simple and can have hairs. The leaves are narrowly oval and there can be round teeth along the edge. The flowers are in the axils of leaves or at the ends of the plant. They are in a congested groups with a few flowers and are red or occasionally white. The fruit is an oval capsule. It is yellow to brown. The plant varies a lot.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It can be in moist forest or dry savannah. It is best in humus rich soil and slight shade. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo DR, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, West Africa

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked and eaten. They are also eaten in salads.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable, shoots

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. The seeds usually remain dormant in the dry season and grow with the first rains. As seed scatter when the fruit splits open it is difficult to save seeds. It is therefore best to collect almost ripe heads and dry them. Stem cuttings about 15 cm long are used. Root cuttings from near the base of the plant are good.

Its other names

Local names

Asipiriwa, Djagou-djagou, Elihar, Kpahunmarogu, Ophole, Mbondo, Mpahlu, Mutun

Synonyms

Adhatoda diffusa Benth.; Justicia rostellarioides Lindau; Justicia striata subsp. insularis (T. Anderson) J. K. Morton; Tyloglossa diffusa Benth.;