Acanthaceae FAMILY

Justicia tenella

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

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[ 617 Title Traditional Vegetables in Benin Publication Author Achigan-Dako E. Et al Publisher Darwin Initiative; International Foundation for Science Year 2009 ISBN Description Issued as a PDF on the Internet, it contains basic information on over 250 species of plants used for food in Benin. ]. 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[ 617 Title Traditional Vegetables in Benin Publication Author Achigan-Dako E. Et al Publisher Darwin Initiative; International Foundation for Science Year 2009 ISBN Description Issued as a PDF on the Internet, it contains basic information on over 250 species of plants used for food in Benin. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeTropical Africa - widespread, but exact range unknown.

HabitatUsually 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[ 617 Title Traditional Vegetables in Benin Publication Author Achigan-Dako E. Et al Publisher Darwin Initiative; International Foundation for Science Year 2009 ISBN Description Issued as a PDF on the Internet, it contains basic information on over 250 species of plants used for food in Benin. ].