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May 16, 2025Stems and Shoots Gorillas Feed on
May 18, 2025Among the most iconic creatures of the African rainforests, gorillas are not just fascinating for their strength and social complexity, but also for their remarkably diverse and plant-rich diet. Unlike many primates who rely heavily on fruits, mountain gorillas—found in the misty highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Virunga Mountains—derive the majority of their nutrition from leaves, stems, shoots, and herbs. In fact, leaves make up between 60% to 90% of their daily intake, particularly in high-altitude regions where fruit is less abundant.
Gorillas are highly selective foragers. Their ability to identify, process, and consume a wide variety of leafy vegetation demonstrates not only their adaptability but also the intricate ecological knowledge passed down through generations. Each plant they consume offers unique nutritional benefits—ranging from hydration and fiber to protein, calcium, and medicinal properties.
This article delves deep into the specific leafy plants that form the backbone of the gorilla’s diet. From soft-stemmed herbs like Galium and moisture-rich Commelina, to iron-loaded nettles and fibrous thistles, gorillas navigate their complex forest environment with purposeful precision. Understanding what gorillas eat gives us a richer appreciation of their behavior, their habitat needs, and the vital role they play in maintaining the ecological balance of Central African forests.
Let’s explore these leafy treasures one by one.
Types of Plants Leaves Gorillas Feed on
Gorillas are highly selective foragers. Their ability to identify, process, and consume a wide variety of leafy vegetation demonstrates not only their adaptability but also the intricate ecological knowledge passed down through generations. Each plant they consume offers unique nutritional benefits—ranging from hydration and fiber to protein, calcium, and medicinal properties.
1. Galium spp. (Cleavers or Bedstraw)
Galium species, commonly known as cleavers or bedstraw, are among the most favored leafy plants in the mountain gorilla’s diet. These herbaceous plants have slender, clinging stems and small leaves that grow in whorls. Their sticky nature helps them cling to surrounding vegetation, but this poses no issue for gorillas, who consume them with ease. The plant is rich in moisture and soft fiber, making it easy to digest. Gorillas typically eat the entire plant—leaves, stems, and all—which provides hydration and bulk to their diet. Galium grows abundantly in high-altitude forests, particularly in secondary growth areas, making it a readily available and reliable food source.
2. Urtica massaica (Stinging Nettle)
Despite its stinging hairs, Urtica massaica is a key component of the gorilla’s leafy diet. These tall nettles are rich in essential nutrients, especially protein, calcium, and iron, which are important for growth and maintaining body strength. Gorillas have thick skin on their hands and tough lips and palates, allowing them to consume nettles without discomfort. This plant grows abundantly in moist, high-altitude areas and provides year-round nourishment. Female gorillas and nursing mothers particularly benefit from the iron-rich leaves, making it an essential part of the diet across all age groups.
3. Peucedanum spp. (Wild Celery)
Peucedanum, or wild celery, is a favorite leafy plant among mountain gorillas, especially in Bwindi and the Virunga Mountains. These celery-like herbs grow in the understorey of montane forests and offer crunchy stems with soft, flavorful leaves. Gorillas are often observed stripping off the leaves and chewing the juicy stalks. Wild celery is mineral-rich, containing potassium, calcium, and vitamins, which support healthy muscle function and overall vitality. Its abundance and palatability make it a staple in the daily foraging routine of gorilla groups.
4. Rubus spp. (Wild Blackberry)
Rubus plants, known for their prickly stems and sweet berries, also provide nutritious leaves that gorillas consume year-round. The leaves are soft and palatable, while the plant itself is a resilient species that thrives in forest edges, clearings, and disturbed areas. Gorillas typically browse the leaves even when the berries are not in season. During fruiting periods, they also enjoy the berries, adding variety and sugar to their otherwise fiber-heavy diet. The leaves, however, remain a constant food source and are particularly important during dry months when other food options are limited.
5. Thistle (Carduus or Cirsium spp.)
Thistles might appear unlikely as gorilla food due to their spiny leaves and stems, but gorillas are adept at stripping away the outer spines to access the tender inner leaves. These plants grow in clearings and open spaces within the forest and offer fibrous, nutritious leaves. Thistles are high in dietary fiber and can serve as a fallback food during dry seasons or food-scarce periods. The ability of gorillas to handle such challenging plants showcases their adaptability and dietary breadth within their mountainous habitat.
6. Mimulopsis spp.
Mimulopsis is a fast-growing herbaceous plant commonly found in disturbed or regenerating forest zones. These plants have broad, soft leaves that are easy for gorillas to grasp and chew. The leaves contain a high moisture content and are gentle on the digestive system. Because Mimulopsis grows rapidly in cleared or recently disturbed areas, it becomes an important food source where forest regeneration is taking place. Gorillas play a role in this ecological process, as they often frequent these areas and aid in seed dispersal.
7. Commelina spp. (Dayflower)
Commelina, commonly called dayflower, is a creeping herb with striking blue flowers and succulent leaves. It thrives in moist environments such as forest floors and along streambeds. The soft, watery leaves of Commelina are especially valuable to gorillas for hydration and easy digestion. These plants are consumed whole, including stems and leaves, and offer a mild taste that complements other more fibrous greens. Gorillas are known to seek out Commelina during warm weather, when the extra moisture helps regulate their body temperature.
8. Acanthus pubescens
Acanthus pubescens is a shrubby plant with large, hairy leaves that grow in the forest understory and open clearings. The leaves are rich in fiber and offer substantial bulk to the gorilla’s leafy diet. Although not as soft or juicy as some other plants, Acanthus plays a key role in digestion and is often eaten alongside more palatable greens. Its large leaf surface makes it an efficient foraging choice, allowing gorillas to gather a significant volume of food with minimal effort.
9. Urera spp. (Forest Nettle)
Urera, often referred to as forest nettle, is another stinging plant that gorillas consume despite its defensive hairs. Like Urtica, it is rich in iron and minerals, making it especially valuable for females and infants. Gorillas carefully pluck the young leaves, which are more tender and less irritating. These plants thrive in mid-elevation forests and are a common sight along forest trails and clearings. Urera serves both a nutritional and medicinal purpose, helping gorillas maintain a balanced intake of essential minerals.
10. Triumfetta spp.
Triumfetta is a group of shrubby plants recognized by their sticky burs and small leaves. Although they are not a primary food source, the leaves of Triumfetta are occasionally consumed, especially when more preferred plants are less available. They provide a dose of calcium and trace minerals, supplementing the diet rather than dominating it. Gorillas tend to consume these plants in smaller quantities, often as part of a broader mixture of leaves and herbs collected during foraging.
