Global Distribution

Native range, naturalization, and cultivation worldwide

Global Distribution Map

Native range (dark green) and naturalized regions (light green)

Kalabo โ€” Global Distribution Native range Major cultivation Naturalized Minor presence India SE Asia Africa Arabia Caribbean Australia

Native Range

The precise native range is debated, but the consensus among botanists is that Kalabo is indigenous to:

  • East Africa โ€” Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar
  • Southern Africa โ€” South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape)
  • Arabian Peninsula โ€” Yemen, Oman
  • Indian Subcontinent โ€” Western Ghats, coastal India, Sri Lanka
  • Southeast Asia โ€” Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
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Naturalized Globally

The plant is now naturalized in virtually all tropical and subtropical regions, including the Caribbean, Central and South America, Southern United States, Pacific Islands, Australia, and Southern China.

Regions of Major Cultivation

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ India & South AsiaCulinary & medicinal staple
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Caribbean & Latin AmericaEssential herb in local cuisine
๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ Southeast AsiaWidely grown in home gardens
๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ช East AfricaNative range, traditional use
๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท Central & South AmericaPopular garden herb
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Southern United StatesContainer & tropical garden plant
๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Australia & PacificOrnamental & culinary use