Status:
valid
Authors:
Kerr
Source:
cmp
Year:
1939
Citation Micro:
Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1939: 456 (1939)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000706332
Common Names
- Gongronema filipes
- Filiform Glandwort
- Filiform Wild Tea
Description
Gongronema filipes (also called Globe Amaranth, among many other common names) is an annual herbaceous plant native to South America. It has a bushy habit, with erect stems reaching up to 1 meter in height. Its leaves are lanceolate and green in color, and its flowers are small and globular, in shades of pink, purple, and white. It prefers moist soils and is found in tropical and subtropical climates.
Uses & Benefits
Gongronema filipes is used as an ornamental plant and as a source of yellow dye.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Gongronema filipes has small white flowers with five petals and yellow anthers. Its seeds are small and black. The seedlings have a single cotyledon and a long hypocotyl.
Cultivation and Propagation
Gongronema filipes is best propagated by division in spring. It is best grown in a sunny location in well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant once established.
Where to Find Gongronema filipes
Gongronema filipes can be found in tropical Africa and Asia.
Gongronema filipes FAQ
What is the scientific name of Gongronema filipes?
Gongronema filipes
What are the common names of Gongronema filipes?
African potato, bitter leaf, and wild potato
What is the growth habit of Gongronema filipes?
It is an evergreen shrub that grows up to 1.2 m tall
Species in the Gongronema genus
Gongronema bracteolatum,
Gongronema curtisii,
Gongronema filipes,
Gongronema gaudichaudii,
Gongronema multibracteolatum,
Gongronema nepalense,
Gongronema thomsonii,
Gongronema ventricosum,
Gongronema wallichii,
Gongronema wrayi,
Species in the Apocynaceae family
Acokanthera laevigata,
Acokanthera oblongifolia,
Acokanthera oppositifolia,
Acokanthera rotundata,
Acokanthera schimperi,
Adenium boehmianum,
Adenium multiflorum,
Adenium obesum,
Adenium oleifolium,
Adenium swazicum,
Adenium dhofarense,
Aganosma breviloba,
Aganosma cymosa,
Aganosma gracilis,
Aganosma lacei,
Aganosma petelotii,
Aganosma schlechteriana,
Aganosma siamensis,
Aganosma wallichii,
Aganosma heynei,
Alafia alba,
Alafia barteri,
Alafia benthamii,
Alafia berrieri,
Alafia calophylla,
Alafia caudata,
Alafia erythrophthalma,
Alafia falcata,
Alafia fuscata,
Alafia insularis,
Alafia intermedia,
Alafia landolphioides,
Alafia lucida,
Alafia microstylis,
Alafia multiflora,
Alafia nigrescens,
Alafia orientalis,
Alafia parciflora,
Alafia pauciflora,
Alafia perrieri,
Alafia schumannii,
Alafia thouarsii,
Alafia vallium,
Alafia verschuereni,
Alafia whytei,
Alafia zambesiaca,
Allamanda calcicola,
Allamanda angustifolia,
Allamanda blanchetii,
Allamanda cathartica,