• Keni / केणी / Bengal Dayflower / Commelina benghalensis L.
  • Keni / केणी / Bengal Dayflower / Commelina benghalensis L.
1 2

Keni / केणी / Bengal Dayflower / Commelina benghalensis L.

Local Name: Keni / केणी

Common Name: Bengal Dayflower

Botanical Name: Commelina benghalensis L.

Keni / केणी / Bengal Dayflower / Commelina benghalensis L.
Keni / केणी / Bengal Dayflower / Commelina benghalensis L.

Status & Habitat

  • Habitat: Herb

  • Occurrence: Subtropical areas; disturbed soils

  • Season of Availability: Warmer parts of the year

  • Geography: Tropical Asia and Africa

  • Method of Propagation: Seed propagation

  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Leaves

  • Can be Eaten Raw: No

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: No

  • Ripe: No

  • Both Raw & Ripe: No

  • Dangerous Form to Consume: Raw plant

  • As Food: Leaves may be cooked as a vegetable.

  • As Medicine: Helps relieve hunger/as a famine food.

  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: N/A

  • Boiling Before Cooking: N/A

  • Pickling: N/A

  • Brining: N/A

  • Fermenting: N/A

  • Drying for later Consumption: N/A

  • Overall Method: Cook tender leaves as a vegetable, eg in curries; leaves can be made into pakodas.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Contains phytochemicals with healing properties.

  • Medicinal Benefit: Relieves hunger

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Used as a famine food.

Recipes

  • Tribal Recipe: Dip tender leaves in besan batter and deep-fry till golden brown.