Commelina africana

Yellow commelina

Commelinaceae Edible: Leaves, Vegetable, Bulb, Tubers, Root 3,824 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Commelina africana, the common yellow commelina, is a widespread species of flowering plant in the family Commelinaceae. It is native to Sub‑Saharan Africa, Madagascar, Réunion, and the Arabian Peninsula, and has been introduced to India. It is occasionally consumed as a leaf vegetable, and occasionally fed to rabbits and pigs.

Description

A herb. The stems are fleshy and lie along the ground. The stems are 1 m long. They form roots at the nodes. The leaf stalks form a sheath around the stem. The leaves are small. The flower emerges from a pocket like spathe. The flowers are yellow to white.

Edible Uses

The leaves are cooked as a potherb, typically chopped and boiled in water or milk. Because they are soft, they are often mixed with other leafy vegetables. The underground bulbs are eaten by children.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are cooked as a potherb. They are soft so are mixed with other types of leafy vegetables. The leaves are chopped and boiled in water or milk. The underground bulbs are eaten by children.

Medicinal Uses

A root decoction is used as a treatment for VD; for menstrual problems; pelvic pain and bladder complaints. An infusion of the plant is used as a wash to reduce fever. A decoction of the plant, combined with Tephrosia capensis, is used in the treatment of a 'weak heart' and nervousness. The plant, cooked with Haplocarpha scaposa, Helichrysum pilosellum, or the root of Cotyledon decussata, is given as a medicine to young women to cure infertility. The pounded stalks are used to treat colds and coughs in children. Fluid from the spathes is applied locally to cure eye diseases.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in well-drained rocky and sandy soils. It grows in hot arid zones. It grows in places with a marked dry season. It can grow between 2 and 2,160 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. In Tanzania it grows in areas with a rainfall between 900-1,900 mm. It grows in wet grassland savannah.

Where It Grows

Africa, Australia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

It is grown from sections of the rhizomes.

Production

Leaves are collected in the rainy season.

Other Information

It is a very minor vegetable. The underground bulbs are eaten by children.

Notes

There are about 170 Commelina species. There are 25 Commelina in tropical America.

Synonyms

Commelina africana var. africana Commelina africana var. polyclada Welw. ex C.B.Clarke Commelina bakueana A.Chev. ex Hutch. & Dalziel [Invalid] Commelina benghalensis Forssk. [Illegitimate] Commelina divaricata Vahl Commelina edulis A.Rich. Commelina flava Salisb. Commelina lutea Moench Commelina polyclada Welw. ex C.B.Clarke Commelina subamplectens Hassk. Dirtea africana (L.) Raf. Hedwigia africana (L.) Medik. Stickmannia africana (L.) Raf.

Also Known As

Dzadza, Echaya, Ekoropot, Gezi, Goche, Goshe, Holagabis, Kallechuwa, Katagh, Khovani, Kikowe, Korogwa, Lidzangamane, Linyolonyolo, Mwana-wanfefo, Ndarama, Newaso, Nikorrowane, Nkongo, Mtara-ran, Odielo, Othoto, Ototo, Portotion, Zheki

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FAO, 1988, Traditional Food Plants, FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 42. FAO Rome p 214
Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 65

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