Impatiens macroptera
Hook. f.
gbif· cc-by-nc-nd
Vincent Droissart
gbif· cc-by-nc-nd
Vincent Droissart
Description
A herb that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 50 cm high. It has red flowers.
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.
Traditional Uses
The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
The leaves are eaten as a cure for heart troubles and illnesses caused by evil spirits. The leaves are used to make poultices and dressings to treat wounds and sores and to alleviate all kinds of painful conditions. The flavonoids procyanidin and prodelphidin have been isolated from the sepals and petals.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows between 600-1,350 m above sea level. It grows in humid, shaded forest.
Where It Grows
Africa, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, West Africa,
References (2)
- Grubben, G. J. H. and Denton, O. A. (eds), 2004, Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. p 332
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
