Corchorus aestuans L.

 

Family: Malvaceae

Synonym: No synonym

Vernacular name: East Indian Mallow

Habit: Herb

Habitat: Degraded deciduous forests, also in the wastelands

Distribution: Pantropical

Flowering and Fruiting: August-February

Key identification features: It is an annual herb. The leaves are shaped from ovate to elliptic-lanceolate. It blooms with 2 to 3 flowers grouped in cymes directly opposite the leaves on short stalks. Each flower has five yellow petals. The plant produces a capsule-type fruit.

Uses: Leaves can be eaten in salads, used as a vegetable or potherb, or used for vegetable bouillon. A good quality fibre is obtained from the bark used for making string.