Wild rhubarb, False amaranth
Digera muricata

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 20-50 cm high. The leaf blade is narrowly oval. It lies over. It is branched from the base. The leaves are alternate. It is 2-6 cm long by 6-30 mm wide. The flowers are white or pink. They are small and long slender flower stalks. The fruit have one seed.

There is only one Digera species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. Western Rajasthan. In Pakistan it grows up to 1,500 m altitude. In Kenya it grows between sea level and 1,500 m altitude. It can grow in dry savannah and semi-desert and moist locations. It is often near streams.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Arabia, Asia, Bangladesh, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Middle East, Myanmar, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Socotra, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen

How it is used for food

Leaves are boiled and eaten as a vegetable. They are seasoned with salt and chilli or used in curries. The nectar is sucked out of the flowers.

The flowers are sucked by children. It is occasionally cultivated and sold in markets. It is a minor vegetable of local importance.

Edible parts

Leaves, stems, flowers, nectar, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Aghada, Athi, Booti, Chanchali, Chenchalikura, Chenchel kura, Chenchulaaku, Chererayan, Cheriyan, chu neyyi kura, ChenGitana, Getna,Gorji soppu, Gungatiya, Jamaika sak, Jonnachemchali, Kaprimet, Kari bhaji, Kari gandhari, Kattukkeerai, Khanjru, Kogatu, Korithusoppu, Kundursa, Kunzar, Kunzru, Kurdu, Lahsuva, Lal-lahuria, Lasua, Lata mouri, Lataroo, Latmhuria, Lehesua, Lehsua, Leswa, Lulur, Mareeri saag, Morang, Nazam hoora, Sermo, Tandala, Tandla, Tandoli, Tanduli-matala, Tanduljira, Tartara, Theyya, Thonthoni shak, Thoyya, Thoyyake-erai, Torcha, Torchata, Torqeta, Walange, Yut-na-daung

Synonyms

Achyranthes alternifolia L.; Achyranthes ciliata Lam.; Achyranthes digera Poir.; Achyranthes muricata L.; Achyranthes polygonoides Retz.; Amaranthus arvensis (Forssk.) K. Krause; Celosia muricata Spreng.; Chamissoa arabica Spreng.; Chamissoa ciliata Spreng.; Chamissoa commutata Spreng.; Chamissoa muricata Spreng.; Cladostachys alternifolia Sweet; Cladostachys arborescens D. Dietr.; Desmochaeta alternifolia (L.) DC.; Desmochaeta ciliata Schult.; Digera alternifolia (L.) Aschers; Digera angustifolia Suess.; Digera arvensis Forssk.; Digera ciliata (Lam.) Mart.; Digera forsskaolii Blume; Digera frutescens Juss. ex Steud.; Eclotoripa annua Raf.; Eclotripa fruticosa Raf.;