Łódź, Botanical Garden

It is native to the tropical Americas, but is widespread as an introduced species on most continents in a great number of habitats. Edible plant - young leaves raw or cooked as a spinach; seeds raw or cooked; seeds can be cooked whole, and become very gelatinous. Herbal plant - a tea made from the leaves is astringent, it is used in the treatment of profuse menstruation, intestinal bleeding, diarrhoea. Usable plant - yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the whole plant.