Crassocephalum
Encyclopedia
Crassocephalum is a genus
the common names of whose members include ragleaf, thickhead, and bologi. Several species are raised as leaf vegetable
s and used for medicine, especially in West Africa
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Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
the common names of whose members include ragleaf, thickhead, and bologi. Several species are raised as leaf vegetable
Leaf vegetable
Leaf vegetables, also called potherbs, green vegetables, greens, leafy greens or salad greens, are plant leaves eaten as a vegetable, sometimes accompanied by tender petioles and shoots...
s and used for medicine, especially in West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
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Species
Species include:- Crassocephalum biafraeCrassocephalum biafraeCrassocephalum 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....
S. Moore - Crassocephalum rubensCrassocephalum rubensCrassocephalum 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...
(Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moore - Crassocephalum crepidioidesCrassocephalum crepidioidesCrassocephalum 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...
(Benth.) S. Moore