Dicliptera verticillata
(Forsk.) C. Christens.
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Description
An annual herb. It has many branches. It can be slightly erect or lie along the ground. The twigs are hairy on the angles. The leaf stalks are 2-3 cm long. The leaves are oval and 4-8 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They are rounded at the base and taper to the tip. The flowers are pink spotted with purple. They are 5 mm long. They are in dense groups in the axils of leaves with bracts attached that wrap around the flower. The fruit is a narrowly oval capsule 4 mm long and with 4 seeds. The seeds are 1 mm across. They have lines on them.
Distribution
A tropical plant.
Where It Grows
Africa, Asia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, India, Middle East, Pakistan, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia,
Synonyms
References (4)
- Grivetti, L. E., 1980, Agricultural development: present and potential role of edible wild plants. Part 2: Sub-Saharan Africa, Report to the Department of State Agency for International Development. p 70
- Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 74
- Martin, F.W. & Ruberte, R.M., 1979, Edible Leaves of the Tropics. Antillian College Press, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. p 171 (As Dicliptera umbellata)
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
