Chinsaga

Cleome gynandra
(Gynandropsis gynandra)

Cleome gynandra photo © by Michael Plagens

Observed on a small farm at Kitale, Kenya. April 2013.

From From Wikipedia: Chinsaga is also known by the common name Shona cabbage or African cabbage. It is an annual wildflower native to Africa but has become widespread in many tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world. It is an erect, branching plant generally between 25 cm and 60 cm tall. Its sparse leaves are each made up of 3-7 oval-shaped leaflets. The flowers are white to rose pink. The seed is a brown 1.5mm diameter sphere. Nutrition analysis has found it to be high in certain nutrients including amino acids, vitamins and minerals as a result it forms an important part of diets in Southern Africa. Cleome gynandra is considered an invasive weed in many places.

Cleomaceae -- Cleome Family

More Information:


Kenya Natural History

Copyright Michael J. Plagens, page created 20 Nov. 2013