Naming
The plant grows commonly in Yemen, where it is called ''Meru''. In the 18th century the plant's Arabic name ''Meru'' was used as the source for the genus name ''Maerua''. The 18th-century taxonomist was Peter Forsskål, who visited Yemen in the 1760s.Distribution
Maerua crassifolia has been found growing along the Tsauchab river in Namibia at the following geo coordinates: 24°38'42.6"S 15°39'06.9"E.Uses
It is used as a common nutrition source in central Africa, where it is called ''jiga'' and made into soups and other dishes. It was part of the daily diet of the Kel Ewey tribe of the tuaregs in the Aïr Mountains as late as in the 1980s, who would mix the cooked leaves with goat milk. ''Maerua crassifolia'' was considered sacred to the ancient Egyptians.References:
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