Common Name:

General Information

Ludwigia abyssinica is an erect or straggling, annual, occasionally perennial plant that can grow from 60 - 300cm tall. The stout, sub-succulent stem is well-branched, sometimes becoming more or less woody at the base[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of a dye.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - widely spread from Senegal to Djibouti, south to Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar and eastern S.Africa.

Habitat

Swampy situations, lake sides, river banks; at elevations from sea level to 2,300 metres[],

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Leaves - and eaten as a vegetable[].

The plant is used for the production of vegetable salt[]. This is normally done by burning the plant and using the ashes[].

Medicinal

The leaves are eaten to treat abdominal pains[]. The leaf sap is taken orally to prevent abortion[].
The leaves are used for dressing wounds[].

A root decoction is used to treat liver diseases and intestinal worm infestations in children[].

Other Uses

The cooked leaves and stems provide a black liquid that is used for dyeing straw and fibres[].

Propagation

Seed -

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