Wild jute
Corchorus asplenifolius

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems are 50 cm tall and can be hairy. It has a woody rootstock. The leaves are alternate and narrow. There are wide teeth along the edge. The flowers are yellow and have 5 petals. The flowers are in the axils of leaves. The fruit are cylinder shaped capsules. There are many seeds and they are dark brown.

There are about 100 Corchorus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is rare in Swaziland. It grows in open woodland and on the edges of seasonal swamps. It grows between 300-1675 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are stripped from the stem and washed and boiled with a little potash. The result is a soft slimy vegetable. The leaves can be dried and stored for later use.

A popular leafy vegetable. It is common and nutritious.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

It can re-grow from the woody rootstock.

Its other names

Local names

Delelunanzwanowa, Derere, Geelvaringblaartjie, Gusha, Gwisha, Idelele, Igogola, Igusha

Synonyms

Corchorus mucilagineus Gibbs; Corchorus serraefolius Burch.; Corchorus serrifolius Burch.; Corchorus trilocularis sensu Eyles;