Whitfieldia elongata

Family: Acanthaceae

What it is like

A herb or shrub. It tends to lie over. It can grow 5 m tall. The leaves are dark green above and more pale underneath. The flowers are white.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Ethiopia it grows between 600-1,600 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, East Africa, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia

How it is used for food

The flower nectar is sucked by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, nuts, nectar

How it is grown

Plants flower in January and February.

Its other names

Local names

Adibuch

Synonyms

Dipteracanthus elongatus Nees; Ruellia elongata P. Beauv.; Whitfieldia longiflora S. Moore; Whitfieldia longifolia T. Anderson; Whitfieldia perglabra C. B. Clarke; Whitfieldia subviridis C. B. Clarke; Whitfieldia tanganyikensis C. B. Clarke;