Gymnanthemum Species, African Bitterleaf

Anyone know where I can buy this plant/cuttings? I live in the UK

Vernonia amygdalina grows well for me in a container. It is an easy plant to grow.

African bitterleaf is as common in West African cuisine as is spinach or cabbage in western dishes. And while dried leaf can be obtained...Read More from African markets, fresh leaves and live plant/cuttings/seeds seem virtually impossible to obtain commercially outside of that continent. Stewed leaves give a pleasant piquant kick to stewed meat dishes, somewhat like collard greens, although they should be shredded, soaked in water, and squeezed to reduce the bitterness. Recent studies support the health benefits attributed to this important ethnobotanical crop.

Plants prefer rich garden soil in a sunny position, with ample moisture, and respond favorably to periodic fertilizer applications. Pruning of older stems provides fresh leaves for the kitchen - a good excuse to learn cooking West African fare, as well as keeps size/height in check. This plant can be grown in suitably large pots, and will eventually become a rather large shrub. Frost hardiness/tenderness data, if published, is obscure. Container plants here have survived 35F (2C) nights here without complaint, and others have reported larger plants withstanding temperatures down to 20F (-7) when established in the ground. Well mulched, mature plants may even survive Zone 6-7 winters, although they will die back until spring.

Although it can be propagated from seed, cuttings are the best bet. When given ample sun, water, good soil, and regular feeding, cuttings are rooted, and soon begin growing at an impressive rate, with new leaves being set almost daily.

I was fortunate enough to acquire several strong cuttings from someone returning from Ghana. It's too bad this interesting, easily cultivated plant remains obscure outside the African continent, as its culinary and medicinal virtues are finally becoming recognized outside of its native region.