Talinum fruticosum

Talinum fruticosum

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Talinaceae
Genus:	Talinum
Species:	T. fruticosum
Binomial name
*Talinum fruticosum* (L.) Juss.
Synonyms^[1]
Portulaca fruticosa L. Portulaca triangularis Jacq. Talinum crassifolium (Jacq.) Willd. Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd.

Talinum fruticosum is a herbaceous perennial plant that is native to Mexico, the Caribbean, West Africa, Central America, and much of South America. Common names include Ceylon spinach,^[2] waterleaf, cariru, Gbure, Surinam purslane, Philippine spinach, Florida spinach, potherb fameflower, Lagos bologi, sweetheart, and Kutu bataw in Ghana from the Akan language^[1] It is widely grown in tropical regions as a leaf vegetable.

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Description

The plant grows erect, reaching a height of 30 to 100 cm (12 to 39 in). It bears small, pink flowers and broad, fleshy leaves.

Uses

As a leaf vegetable, T. fruticosum is rich in vitamins, including vitamins A and C, and minerals such as iron and calcium^{[citation needed]}. Because it is high in oxalic acid, consumption should be avoided or limited by those suffering from kidney disorders, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis^{[citation needed]}. It is cultivated in West Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the warmer parts of North and South America. Along with Celosia species, T. fruticosum is one of the most important leaf vegetables of Nigeria. In Brazil it is grown along the banks of the Amazon River, and is consumed mainly in the states of Pará and Amazonas.

In Nigeria, waterleaf is used to make soup, the Ibibio and Efik people of South-Southern region of the country use it to make afang soup, they combine afang leaves (wild spinach) with waterleaf to produce a savory soup.