Corchorus trilocularis
(L.) Burm.
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Description
An annual herb. It grows to about 1 m tall. It is an erect plant and branches. Sometimes the branches hang over. The young branches are often purple. When young they can be hairy on both sides of the stem. The leaf is 2-12 cm long by 0.5-3.5 cm wide. They are oblong and the tip is pointed. The edges of the leaf can have teeth or be indented. The leaf stalk is 2.5 cm long. Flowers occur as one to 3 together on flower stalks opposite the upper leaves. The fruit is a many seeded capsule 2.5-7 cm long. The fruit points upwards and is straight or slightly curved. It has 3-4 angles and 3-4 valves. The seeds inside these are dark brown and oval. They are about 1 mm across.
Edible Uses
The leaves are cooked as a potherb with a slippery texture best paired with coarser leaves, used as a sauce or relish, and cook quickly. Leaves can be dried and stored for later use. The seeds and flowers are also edible.
Traditional Uses
The leaves are cooked as a potherb. Because it is slippery it is cooked with other coarse leaves. They are also used as a sauce or relish. It cooks quickly. Leaves can be dried and stored.
Medicinal Uses
The leaves are used as a plaster to reduce swellings. The seeds are used in the treatment of gripe and nausea.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows as a weed along roadsides, hill sides and on grassy plains. It grows between sea level and 2,400 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.
Where It Grows
Afghanistan, Africa, Angola, Arabia, Asia, Australia, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, China, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Northeastern India, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Rwanda, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds can be planted in rows or broadcast.
Other Uses
Fibres from the stems are used for making robes. (almost certainly a typo for ropes) The fibre is used to make ropes.
Production
Leaves are collected during the rainy season.
Other Information
It is a cultivated food plant. It is a popular vegetable. It is sold in markets. It is highly palatable.
Notes
There are about 100 Corchorus species.
Nutrition
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | 78 | 312 | 76 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — |
| Leaves raw | 83.9 | 139.2 | 32.1 | 3.4 | — | — | 3 | 0.5 |
Synonyms
Also Known As
Al moulinouquia, Apoth, Atigo, Bwenka, Chelewa, Chench, Chepkaratian, Chimdendele, Delelemukula, Denje, Etigo-apio, Gucha, Kala, Kankhumba, Kibwando, Kumulele, Lagada, Legen, Likombe, Linyololo, Mlenda, Mondrokol, Ntonono, Otigo lum, Phinyu, Senujaga, Sesemranda, Shosha interse, Weakeh
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