Asystasia gangetica subsp. micrantha
(Nees) Ensermu
Ganges primrose
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GBIF
gbif· cc-by-sa
GBIF
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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary
Source: WikipediaAsystasia gangetica is a species of plant in the family Acanthaceae. It is commonly known as the Chinese violet, coromandel or creeping foxglove. In South Africa this plant may simply be called asystasia.
Description
A herb. It grows 20-30 cm tall. The stems can be erect or straggling. They are 4 sided in cross section. The nodes are 10-15 cm apart. The leaves are opposite and triangle shaped. They are 3-7 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. The flowers are tube shaped and 1.5 cm long. They have purple marks. The flowers are on one side of the 10 cm long flower stalk. The fruit is a dry capsule.
Edible Uses
The leaves are eaten.
Medicinal Uses
In some parts of Africa, the leaves are eaten as a vegetable and used as an herbal remedy in traditional African medicine. The leaves are used in many parts of Nigeria as a traditional African medicine for the management of asthma. It is also used as an ornamental plant.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant.
Where It Grows
Africa, Asia, Central Africa, Congo DR, Kenya, Nigeria, Philippines, SE Asia, Uganda, West Africa,
Cultivation
Plants are grown by seeds. It can be grown by layering or cuttings.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Mpoto zi mbwo, Ndamimina, Pangi ya kuinini, N'sumbe
References (2)
- Latham, P. & Mbuta, A. K., 2014, Useful Plants of Bas-Congo Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. Volume 1. Salvation Army. p 64 (As var. micrantha)
- Latham, P. & Mbuta, A. K., 2017, Plants of Kongo Central Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. Volume 1. 3rd ed p 70
