Crassocephalum rubens (Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moore

Erect herb, 30-70 cm. Leaves up to 11 × 4 cm, but often smaller, varying from simple, ovate, elliptic or obovate to (more commonly) lyrate-pinnatifid, sometimes auriculate; margin irregularly serrate or dentate. Capitula 10-12 × 5-8 mm, 1.5-2 times as long as broad, purple, blue, magenta, usually solitary; inner phyllaries 9-11 × 1 mm. Ovaries and achenes hairy.

Common

W Africa from Liberia to Cameroon, Sudan, Ethiopia and southwards to S Africa; Madagascar, Comoro and Mascarane Islands.

Crassocephalum rubens, also called Yoruba bologi, is an erect annual herb growing up to 80 cm tall. It is grown and consumed especially in Southwestern Nigeria, but also as far away as Yemen, South Africa, and islands of the Indian Ocean. Its mucilaginous leaves are used as a dry or fresh vegetable in a variety of dishes, and as medicine for several different ailments.