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| Ragweed, Gynura crepidioides |
Some articles conflate Okinawa Spinach (Gynura bicolour)) with Ragweed, Gynura crepidioides. Sometimes both plants are depicted, cut and bundled, in Asian vegetable markets.
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| Okinawa Spinach (Gynura bicolour) |
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| Gynura crepidiodes, a common weed in the Bellingen valley |
"Gynura crepidioides Benth. is a synonym of Crassocephalum crepidioides"
"Crassocephalum 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.
However, the safety of
internal use needs further research due to the presence of plant toxins.
[2]" Ref: Wikipedia
"Cultivation Details
Grows well in soils that are rich in organic matter. Often cultivated as a food crop in the tropics, the plant has light,
plumed seeds that are easily distributed by the wind. It has escaped
from cultivation in many areas and become an invasive weed in some
places.
Edible Uses
Leaves
- raw or cooked. A distinctive, pine-like flavour. The leaves are
fleshy, somewhat mucilaginous with a nutty flavour]. The tender and
succulent leaves and stems of ebolo are
mucilaginous and are used as a vegetable in soups and stews, especially
in West and Central Africa. It is much appreciated for its special
flavour, which is sharp but not bitter. In Sierra Leone the leaves are
also popular and are made into a sauce with groundnut paste. In Australia it is eaten as a salad green, either cooked or raw" Ref:
Useful Tropical Plants
Also Search for Gynura crepidioides in
Google Book 'Vegetables' for an excellent article.
Farmers Friend aka Blackjack (Bidens pilosa), a common weed in our valley,
are grown as edible crops in Africa and Asia!!!
See also
Wikipedia
See als0:
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