Edible parts - Leaves, Seeds, Vegetable
An annual herb plant. It is erect and grows up to 1.2 m tall. The stems are angular and the plant is often branched from the base upwards. Plants can be green or tinged purple. The leaves are 3-8 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 1-5 cm long. Leaves can taper to a point at the tip and taper quickly towards the base. The flower clusters are in spikes on side branches and these can be branched. The flower stalks at the tip can be lax. The flower clusters can be 10-20 cm long and either stick upwards or bend over. Most of the flowers are female. Seed are 1-1.2 mm across and rather flat. Several types occur.
A tropical plant. It suits the tropical humid lowlands. It can grow in arid places. In Papua New Guinea it grows between sea level and 1,800 m altitude. It needs a night temperature above 15°C and preferably a day temperature above 25°C. It needs fertile, well-drained soil.