Food Plants International - Plant Fact Sheets Vernonia amygdalina

Edible : Leaves, Vegetable, Stems,

A woody shrub. It has a single stem and grows up to 3 m tall. Sometimes it grows up to 10 m. The bark is pale grey and rough. The bark flakes off and the branches are brittle. The young branches are hairy but become smooth later. The leaves are oval and 20 cm by 5 cm. They taper at both ends. The leaves are dark green above and have soft pale hairs underneath. The edges of the leaves can have teeth. The leaf stalks are 3 cm long. Flowers are green or white and 4-6 mm across. They occur in dense branching flattened heads. These heads are 30 cm across. They produce a sweet smell in the evening.

A tropical plant. It grows in subhumid wooded savannah and wetter highland areas in tropical Africa. It will grow in all kinds of soils. Humus rich soil gives better leaf production. It grows from sea level to 2,200 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Common names : Bitter leaf, Tree vernonia, Amavive, Anouko sauvage, Aroman, Banjaga, Chipanza, Eebicha, Elimkpataxa, Erita, Ewuro, Futsa, Grawa, Hechcho, Labori, Lubilili, Lugon, Malulu, Mekang ndie, Moqune, Msangusangu, Mukarikari, Mululuza, Mundudindudi, Muuluza, Navate, Nlulu nlulu, Nsangunsangu, Okelo, Omororia, Omululisi, Onugbu, Oriwo, Shiwaka, Shuwaka, Suaka, Tifinhoun'ti, Tikoun'teete,Tree vernonia, Tsonzoro, Tsoyo, Umubiriizi,

Synonyms :

Gymnanthemum amygdalinum (Delile) Walp.;
Vernonia randii S. Moore;