Common Name:

General Information

Justicia tenella is a herbaceous, short-lived perennial plant with spindly stems up to 40cm long that are usually decumbent. The plant often forms roots at its lower nodes[].
A major leaf crop in northwest Benin, where the plant is commonly harvested from the wild and sold in local markets, especially in the rainy season. The plant is currently (2009) undergoing trials as a cultivated crop[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - widespread, but exact range unknown.

Habitat

Usually found along river banks in open situations and in forests, it is also found in fallows or as a weed in farms and home gardens[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked[]. Generally prepared as a sauce to accompany a main staple[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings. Stems often form roots at their lower nodes and these can be used to form new plants.

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