Gymnanthemum amygdalinum aka Bitter Leaf

Gymnanthemum amygdalinum, known as bitterleaf, belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae. Kew lists its native range across tropical Africa and western Yemen. That range also includes eastern Bolivia through Brazil. It grows in tropical lands with a seasonal dry spell. Wild plants occur beside rivers and lakes, and along woodland edges. They also grow in grassland, old fields, and regrown woodland.

Bitterleaf forms an evergreen shrub or small tree with many branches. Garden references give a height of 26 feet [8 metres]. They list a spread of 23 feet [7 metres]. Larger plants may reach 33 feet [10 metres]. The trunk can reach about 1.3 feet [0.4 metres] across. Its growth rate is moderate. Growers raise it for food and sometimes for ornamental use. The supplied sources show flowers and forming seeds. They give no clear details on bloom season or fruit traits.

Give bitterleaf full sun and soil that drains well. It grows in sand, loam, or clay. Rich soil with plenty of humus gives the best results. It prefers moist ground but withstands drought once its roots establish. Its preferred soil pH runs from 5.5 to 7. It tolerates a wider range, from 5 to 7.5. PFAF lists USDA zones 10–12. The plant suits warm tropical conditions, with best daytime temperatures around 20–26°C. Growers can cut it back to encourage fresh stems. Seed takes about two to three weeks to sprout. Mature wood cuttings offer another means of propagation.

People cook the young leaves and shoots as greens. They also add them to soups or use them for seasoning. The leaves can taste very bitter, though some forms have little bitterness. Harvesting shoot tips helps the plant make fresh growth. Picking only leaves can slow its growth. People grow bitterleaf as a hedge or living fence. Its branches resist termites and serve as field stakes. Planting it can also help hold soil against erosion. Young twigs serve as chewing sticks or toothpicks.

Bitterleaf has a long record of use in African traditional medicine. Uses include remedies for fever, gut complaints, cough, and skin problems. These records describe traditional practice, not proof of safe treatment. Both plant references report no known hazards. That does not establish safety for every use or for pets. PFAF records no weed potential. The supplied evidence names no pests or diseases that attack it.