Vernonia auriculifera

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 2-5 m tall. The leaves are narrowly oval and 10-45 cm long by 3-23 cm wide. The base is rounded or heart shaped. The flowers are small and mauve.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo DR, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda

How it is used for food

The leaves are boiled as a vegetable. They are also used as a medicine.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit ?, medicine

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Garut, Saraji

Synonyms

Vernonia laurentii De Wild.; Vernonia uniflora Hutch. & Dalziel;