Chamissoa altissima

(Jacq.) Kunth

False chaff flower, Haitian basket vine

Amaranthaceae Edible: Leaves 406 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Chamissoa altissima, or false chaff flower, is native to North and South America. In Brazil it grows in the Cerrado vegetation.

Description

A vine or climbing plant. The stem is thick and woody. The stems are 2-3 m or more long. The branches hang down. The leaves are alternate. The leaves are oval or sword shaped. They are 8-14 cm long by 3-7 cm wide. The edges are wavy. The flowers are in groups at the ends of the branches. These are 4-16 cm long. The fruit is an oval capsule. It is 3-4 mm long. The seeds are brown and shiny with a white covering.

Edible Uses

The young leaves are cooked and eaten, though they can be bitter.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are cooked and eaten. They can be bitter.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. ECHO

Where It Grows

Argentina, Brazil, Central America*, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Lesser Antilles, Mexico, North America, Puerto Rico*, South America, Suriname, USA, Venezuela, Virgin Islands, West Indies,*,

Synonyms

Achyranthes altissima Jacq.

Also Known As

Akw'aalil palats, Beju co pedorro, Erva-das-pombas, Quaniqueque

References (8)

Acevedo-Rodriguez, P., 2005, Vine and Climbing Plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin islands. Contributions to the United States National Herbarium. Volume 51:1-483 p 53
Ekman Herbarium records Haiti
F. W. H. A. von Humboldt et al., Nov. gen. sp. 2:158[folio]; 2:197[quarto]. 1818; t. 125. 1817
INFOODSUpdatedFGU-list.xls
Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 210

Show all 8 references

Kinupp, V. F., 2007, Plantas alimenticias nao-convencionais da regiao metropolitana de Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil p 57
Kinupp, V. F. & Bergman, I., 2008, Protein and minerals of native species, potential vegetables and fruits. Cienc.Tecnol. Aliment. Vol. 28 No. 4 Campinas Oct/Dec.
Plants of Haiti Smithsonian Institute http://botany.si.edu