Yoruban bologi
Crassocephalum rubens

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 80 cm high. The leaves are arranged in spirals. They do not have leaf stalks. The leaves are deeply cut. Leaves are 5-16 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. The flower heads are red or purple. They are at the top of a long stalk.

There are about 25 Crassocephalum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 1,800 m altitude. It grows in areas with a rainfall of 1,000-1,600 m altitude. It does best in well drained soils with high organic matter. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall of 1,000-1,600 mm. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Benin, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, Congo DR, East Africa, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mascarene Islands, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Sahel, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Taiwan, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked and eaten. They are slimy and used in soups and stews. They can be dried and chopped and cooked with other vegetables.

It is a cultivated food plant in Nigeria. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or by stem cuttings 20-25 cm long. Removing the flowering shoots enables more leaves to be produced.

Its other names

Local names

Adjele, Agologolo, Akogbo, Banfa-banfa, Betranomay, Bolo, Bungudi, Bungudia, Chinunche, Chinunje, Chinusi, Chinusika, Gbolo, Hohounhogui, Kagiji, Kikpoi, Mushuwalindi, Mushiwarindi, Nu-su, Shekaadona, Sungumbuwa, Taw-bi-zat, Tignikoroya

Synonyms

Cacalia uniflora Schumach. & Thonn.; Crassocephalum cernuum (L.f.) Moench [Illegitimate]; Crassocephalum rubens var. rubens; Cremocephalum cernuum Cass.; Gynura cernua (L.f.) Benth. [Illegitimate]; Gynura rubens (Juss. ex Jacq.) Muschl. [Illegitimate]; Senecio cernuus L.f. [Illegitimate]; Senecio rubens Juss. ex Jacq.;