White ribbon bush
Hypoestes forsskaolii

Family: Acanthaceae

What it is like

A herb that keeps growing from year to year. It is often sprawling and grows up to 1 m high. The leaves are opposite and 2-8 cm long. They are covered with short hairs. The flowers are arranged on one side of the spike. There are both narrow leafed and broad leafed varieties.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical and tropical plant. It grows in dry locations. It grows from sea level to about 2,000 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It grows in woodland and coastal sands. It grows in open spaces.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, Burkina Faso, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kumbukwa, Lubikela, Nnoyoyambudsi, Ononayita, Ononayta, Qirqira, Qirqirta, Ricombacomba

Synonyms

Hypoestes verticillaris non (L. f.) Sol ex Roem. & Schult. or R. Br.; Justicia forsskaolii Vahl; Justicia paniculata Forssk.;