Wild handkerchief bush, Forest star, Savanna gooseberry
Mussaenda arcuata
Family: Rubiaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It grows 2-3 m high. It can be a creeper 8-10 m long. The stems can be 12 cm across. The leaves are broadly oval. They are leathery and shiny. The flowers are yellow and tube shaped. They have a scent. The sepals are red and pointed and slightly downy. The fruit are almost round. They are edible.
There are about 190 Mussaenda species. They grow in tropical Africa and Asia.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It is often in forests near streams. In Zimbabwe it grows between 350-1,800 m above sea level. In Kenya it grows from 1,050-1,650 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, East Africa, Equatorial-Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Guinée, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Reunion, Sierra Leone, Southern Africa, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The fruit can be eaten fresh. They can be used for jam. The leaves are sometimes eaten as a spinach.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves, vegetable
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.
Plants grown from seed flower after 2 years.
Its other names
Local names
Achak, Adieremo, Anendengona, Carafurchit, Esobi, Gwawon kare, Hole, Mabolebole, Manyiga-mbeyu, Mauhamabono, Mirxako, Mixaro, Mudondo, Muridzameso, Murtsetsa, Musikawakakadzi, Ngazidila, Nsiamuna, Nsilu nsilu, Sertsegela, Shihanga, Tsikirity