Commelina latifolia

Hochst. ex A Rich.

Commelinaceae Edible: Leaves, Tubers, Roots, Vegetable 10 iNaturalist observations

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Susan Brown

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Susan Brown

Description

A tropical herb in the spiderwort family with edible leaves, tubers, and roots used as a potherb.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked. A mucilaginous texture. The tender leaves and stems are chopped and cooked alone or with other vegetables such as Bidens pilosa or Cleome hirta. Then it is served with a staple, dish such as ugali or rice.

Traditional Uses

It is used as a potherb.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda,

Notes

There are about 230 Commelina species.

Also Known As

Gisha, Nkongo, Wogankur

References (9)

Asfaw, Z., Conservation and use of traditional vegetables in Ethiopia. FAO
Asfaw, Z. and Tadesse, M., 2001, Prospects for Sustainable Use and Development of Wild Food Plants in Ethiopia. Economic Botany, Vol. 55, No. 1, pp. 47-62
FAO, 1988, Traditional Food Plants, FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 42. FAO Rome p 214
Grubben, G. J. H. and Denton, O. A. (eds), 2004, Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. p 213
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 213

Show all 9 references

Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 69
Kidane, B., et al, 2014, Wild and semi-wild leafy vegetables used by the Maale and Ari ethnic communities in southern Ethiopia. Genetic Resour Crop Evol. Springer. p 8
Martin, F.W. & Ruberte, R.M., 1979, Edible Leaves of the Tropics. Antillian College Press, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. p 183
Ruffo, C. K., Birnie, A. & Tengnas, B., 2002, Edible Wild Plants of Tanzania. RELMA p 221