Common Name:

General Information

Persicaria senegalensis is an erect,somewhat succulent, robust perennial plant that can grow from 50 - 300cm tall. The stem often forms roots at the basal nodes[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, dye and medicine. It has potential as an aquatic ornamental[].

Known Hazards

The roots are said to be toxic[].

Botanical References

Range

Africa - widespread through most of the continent and also in Madagascar.

Habitat

By lakes and riversides; other damp places, marshes, often growing in water; locally common; at elevations from 45 - 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Tender young leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[].

The plant is burnt to make a vegetable salt[].

We have no specific information for this species, but the seed of most, if not all, members of the genus is edible both raw and cooked, and is potentially a good source of amino acids. Unfortunately the seed is also usually rather small and fiddly to utilize[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the leaves, combined with other plants, is drunk and also taken by enema as a treatment for syphilis[].
The pounded leaves are applied to swellings, syphylitic sores or skin affections[].

The pounded roots are applied to swellings, syphylitic sores or skin affections[].

An abundance of saponins is present in the leaves[].
A crude water extract of the plant killed the freshwater snails Lymnae natalensis and Biomphalaria pfeifferi, and so may be of value in controlling certain water-borne diseases[].

Other Uses

A black dye is prepared from the roots[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ. Germination is usually free and easy.

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