Crassocephalum

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Crassocephalum
Crassocephalum crepidioides
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Senecioneae
Genus: Crassocephalum
Moench
Species

See text.

Crassocephalum is a genus the common names of whose members include ragleaf, thickhead, and bologi. Several species are raised as leaf vegetables and used for medicine, especially in West Africa.

Contents

[edit] Crassocephalum biafrae S. Moore

C. biafrae, also called Sierra Leone bologi or worow, is a shade tolerant perennial vine grown especially in Sierra Leone, often on trellises. Its spinach-like leaves are often eaten steamed. [1][1]


[edit] Crassocephalum rubens (Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moore

C. rubens, also called Yoruban bologi, is an erect annual herb growing up to 80 cm tall. It is grown and consumed especially in Southwestern Nigeria, but also as far away as Yemen, South Africa, and islands of the Indian Ocean. Its mucilaginous leaves are used as a dry or fresh vegetable in a variety of dishes, and as medicine for several different ailments. [1]


[edit] Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore

C. crepidioides
C. crepidioides

C. crepidioides, also called ebolo, thickhead, redflower ragleaf, or fireweed, is an erect annual slightly succulent herb growing up to 180 cm tall. Its use is widespread in many tropical and subtropical regions, but is especially prominent in tropical Africa. Its fleshy, mucilaginous leaves and stems are eaten as a vegetable, and many parts of the plant have medical uses. [1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (2004) Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA Foundation, Wageningen; Backhuys, Leiden; CTA, Wageningen.

[edit] External links

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