Common Name:

General Information

Pentanisia schweinfurthii is an erect, branched, herbaceous perennial plant growing up to 30cm tall. The plant produces several stems that arise from a woody rootstock[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Nigeria, Cameroon, Sudan, DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe.

Habitat

Grasslands and woodlands, always in areas subject to burning; it is fire-resistant. In eastern Africa it grows at elevations of 800 - 2,250 metres[]. Found particularly on bare soil and other exposed areas and poorish grassland subject to burning[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.25 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is a common weed of cultivation[].
The plant survives bush fires, regrowing quickly from the rootstock[].

Edible Uses

The crushed leaves, and the tips of flowering shoots, are eaten as a cooked vegetable, particularly in the dry season[]. A potash is commonly added to the dish as it cooks[].

The ash of the burned plant is used as salt[].

Medicinal

A decoction of leaves and roots is taken to stop diarrhoea[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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