The name of this species is sometimes mis-spelled Asystasia mysurensis, based on its publication in Journal of the Linnean Society, Botany 9: 524. 1867. However, this name is based on the earlier publication of Ruellia mysorensis in Novae Plantarum Species 303. 1821, and is either a mis-reading or a mis-spelling of that name[].

Common Name:

General Information

Asystasia mysurensis is an annual plant that starts off growing erect but later scrambles on the ground[].
The leaves are gathered from the wild for local consumption and are sometimes sold in local markets[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Eastern and southern Africa - Ethiopia and Eritrea to Namibia and South Africa.

Habitat

Forest edges and thickets and in secondary regrowth after cultivation or other disturbance of the soil. Often a weed in arable land or along paths. Found at elevations up to 2,200 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics where it is found at elevations up to 2,200 metres. It grows in areas where the mean annual rainfall is in the range 1,000 - 2,100mm[].
Tolerates a wide range of soils[].

Edible Uses

Leaves and young shoots - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[]. They are collected, boiled alone or mixed with other vegetables such as cowpeas or mnavu (Solanum nigrum). The leaves can also be mixed with tomatoes, onions, coconut milk, pounded oyster nuts (Telfairia pedata) or groundnuts and served with a staple food such as ugali, rice, bananas or potatoes[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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