Crassocephalum rubens

(Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moore

Yoruban bologi

Asteraceae Edible: Leaves, Vegetable 309 iNaturalist observations

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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Crassocephalum rubens, also called Yoruba bologi, is an erect annual herb growing up to 80 cm tall. It is grown and consumed especially in Southwestern Nigeria, but also as far away as Yemen, South Africa, and islands of the Indian Ocean. Its mucilaginous leaves are used as a dry or fresh vegetable in a variety of dishes, and as medicine for several different ailments.

Description

An annual herb. It grows 80 cm high. The leaves are arranged in spirals. They do not have leaf stalks. The leaves are deeply cut. Leaves are 5-16 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. The flower heads are red or purple. They are at the top of a long stalk.

Edible Uses

The leaves are cooked and eaten in soups and stews, where their slimy texture is valued. They can also be dried, chopped, and cooked with other vegetables.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are cooked and eaten. They are slimy and used in soups and stews. They can be dried and chopped and cooked with other vegetables.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The leaves are slightly laxative. They are used in traditional medicine to treat a range of complaints. They are given to women after childbirth for their laxative effect; they are used as a treatment for 'belly palava' (stomach-ache); when eaten in quantity they are used to treat liver-complaints; they are used as an infusion against colds. Applied externally, they are made into a poultices to treat burns. The leaf-sap is applied to sore eyes and is also instilled into the eye to remove filaria parasites. They are crushed in water and rubbed into the ear to treat earache. A trace of alkaloid has been reported present in the leaves. The powdered root has been used prepared as a paste for external application to breast-cancer in Nigeria.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 1,800 m altitude. It grows in areas with a rainfall of 1,000-1,600 m altitude. It does best in well drained soils with high organic matter. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall of 1,000-1,600 mm. In Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Africa, Angola, Asia, Benin, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, Congo DR, East Africa, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mascarene Islands, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Sahel, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Taiwan, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

It can be grown from seed or by stem cuttings 20-25 cm long. Removing the flowering shoots enables more leaves to be produced.

Propagation

Seed - Stem cuttings 20 - 25 cm long, obtained from mature shoots. The plant is described as being an annual which, if true, makes this a rather strange method of propagation.

Other Uses

Like garlic, the whole plant has repellent properties to crocodiles.

Other Information

It is a cultivated food plant in Nigeria. It is sold in local markets.

Notes

There are about 25 Crassocephalum species.

Synonyms

Cacalia uniflora Schumach. & Thonn.Crassocephalum cernuum (L.f.) Moench [Illegitimate]Crassocephalum rubens var. rubensCremocephalum cernuum Cass.Gynura cernua (L.f.) Benth. [Illegitimate]Gynura rubens (Juss. ex Jacq.) Muschl. [Illegitimate]Senecio cernuus L.f. [Illegitimate]Senecio rubens Juss. ex Jacq.

Also Known As

Adjele, Agologolo, Akogbo, Banfa-banfa, Betranomay, Bolo, Bungudi, Bungudia, Chinunche, Chinunje, Chinusi, Chinusika, Gbolo, Hohounhogui, Kagiji, Kikpoi, Mushuwalindi, Mushiwarindi, Nu-su, Shekaadona, Sungumbuwa, Taw-bi-zat, Tignikoroya

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