Waterleaf, Surinam purslane, Philippine spinach, Ceylon spinach, Florida spinach, potherb fameflower, Lagos bologi or sweetheart is an herbaceous perennial plant native to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. As a leaf vegetable, it is rich in vitamin A and C, and minerals iron and calcium. High in oxalic acid content hence consumption should be limited by those suffering from kidney disorders, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis. It is one of the most import leaf vegetables of Nigeria. In India and other south East Asian countries this is being consumed as a leafy vegetable. Ceylon Spinach is an erect, stout, fleshy herb, 0.5-1 m tall. Leaves are elliptic to obovate, 5-15 cm long, 1.5-5 cm wide, tip pointed to tapering. Flowers are borne in 2-5-branched, raceme-like clusters 3-20 cm long. Flower stalk is about 8-11 mm long, bracts narrow, 4-6 mm long. Sepals are about. 4-5 mm long. Petals are pink, obovate, up to 1 cm long. This photograph was taken on 31st August 2011, on the way, near my lab, waving its head all the while.
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