Gymnanthemum myrianthum
(Hook. f.) H. Rob.
Blue bitter-tea, Eared bitter-tea
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Errol Douwes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Errol Douwes
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Errol Douwes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Errol Douwes
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Sharon Louw, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Sharon Louw
Description
A shrub or tree. It is erect and 3-6 m high. It usually only branches at the base. The stems and the underneath of the leaves are densely hairy. The leaf stalks are 5 cm long. The leaf blades are oval and 30 cm long by 12 cm wide. There are irregular pointed teeth along the edge. The flowers are in loose large clusters 40 cm across. There are many flower heads. They are mauve.
Edible Uses
The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows along the edges of mountain rainforest. It also grows along streams. It suits humid locations.
Where It Grows
Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Synonyms
Also Known As
Linyatselo
References (7)
- Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 1. Kew. (As Vernonia myriantha)
- Grubben, G. J. H. and Denton, O. A. (eds), 2004, Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. p 565 (As Vernonia myriantha)
- Kakeya, 1976, (As Vernonia myriantha)
- Nishida & Uehara, 1983, (As Vernonia myriantha)
- Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 93 (As Vernonia myriantha)
Show all 7 references Hide references
- White, F., Dowsett-Lemaire, F. and Chapman, J. D., 2001, Evergreen Forest Flora of Malawi. Kew. p 207 (As Vernonia myriantha)
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
