Thomboi
Rhopalephora vitiensis

Family: Commelinaceae

What it is like

A herb. It lies along the ground near the base but the branches bend upwards. They are 10-60 cm high. The flowers are white or pale blue.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Fiji it grows from sea level to 500 m altitude. It grows in openings in forests and in swampy pastures.

Countries/locations it is found in

Fiji, Pacific, Samoa, Solomon Islands

How it is used for food

The leaves are used to flavour shellfish soup.

Edible parts

Leaves - flavouring

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Thombula, Luna, Ai rongorongo

Synonyms

Aneilema keyense Warb.; Aneilema vitiensis Seem.; Dictyospermum keyense (Warb.) C. V. Morton ex Panigrahi; Dictyospermum vitiense (Seem.) J. K. Morton; Piletocarpus vitiensis (Seem.) Hassk.;