Three Corner Nut
Oxygonum sinuatum (?)
(Ceratogonum cordofanum)
Observed in a farm plot near Eldoret, Kenya, Africa. December 2012.
Rocky slope near Voi, Kenya, Africa. 29 May 2017.
FRUIT: Like most buckwheats the seeds are three-angled, and in this case
there's also a sharp point at each angle. I couldn't find a widely used common
name, so I made one up from this feature.
HERBACEOUS: Slender ribbed stems with widely spaced leaves. Length
mostly less than 2 m. Tends to lean and scramble upon nearby plants.
FLOWERS: The flowers are small, with four or five petals, and either
pale pink or else white. Several clustered together at nodes.
LEAVES: Leaves are elliptic with conspicuously wavy margins. A brownish
sheath encircles the stem where the leaf attaches.
RANGE: This plant is native to many parts of eastern Africa including
Kenya and there may be a number of similar species.
ARMED: The seed prickles are uncomfortably sharp especially if handled when pulling garden weeds.