Triumfetta pentandra

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 25-60 cm high. The stem is hairy. The leaves have 5 veins or ribs. The leaves have 3 lobes. The leaves are 5-9 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. The flowers are yellow. The fruit is an oval capsule 6-7 mm long. It has spines and hairs.

It has also been put in the family Sparmanniaceae. It may eventually be put in the family Malvaceae. These have also been in the family Tiliaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in savannah woodland and in coastal sands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, East Africa, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, India, Malawi, Mozambique, Pakistan, Senegal, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Babani, Borboronguel, Cuecue, Quebem Mascksok, Thiria grande

Synonyms

Triumfetta cuneata Hochst. ex A. Rich.; Triumfetta neglecta Wight & Arn.;