Water Bitterleaf
Struchium sparganophorum

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It is somewhat succulent. It can be erect or lie over. It grows 1.3 m high. The flowers can be white or pink.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in damp places across West Africa.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Asia, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central America, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Panama, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South America, West Africa

How it is used for food

The young leaves are used as a pot herb. Caution: The leaves contain alkaloids.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Imondo, Kilifien, Muzivien, Sufein, Toloman, Yerba de faja

Synonyms

Ethulia struchium Sw.; Sparganophorus vaillantii Gaertn.; Sparganophorus sparganophora (L.) C. Jeffrey; Struchium africanum Beauverd; and several others