Trichodesma zeylanicum

(N. L. Burman) R. Br.

Camel bush, Cattle bush

Boraginaceae Edible: Seeds, Leaves, Vegetable Potential hazards — see below 1,390 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Trichodesma zeylanicum, commonly known as Northern bluebell, camel bush or cattle bush, is a herb or shrub native to Australia.

Description

A soft herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It is usually 50 cm high but can grow to 1 m high. The leaves are large and opposite in pairs up the stem. The leaves are thick and have distinct veins. They taper to the base with little or no stalk. The stem and leaves are hairy. The flowers are pale purple or white. They hang down in groups like small bells. Each flower has 5 petals.

Edible Uses

The young leaves are chopped and cooked as a vegetable. The seeds yield an edible oil. The leaves are also added to beer to assist with fermentation.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are chopped and cooked and eaten. They are also added to beer to assist with fermentation. The seeds yield and edible oil.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

It is used in medicine.

Known Hazards

The plant is densely rough hairy, irritating to handle. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, with supinine as the principal component, have been isolated from the seeds. These alkaloids are a cumulative liver toxin and so should not be consumed in anything other than small quantities over short periods.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical and subtropical places. It grows in open woodlands and along creeks. It grows in low and medium rainfall areas. It can grow in very sandy soil. In Tanzania it grows up to 1,700 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Fiji, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Pacific, Rwanda, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Other Uses

The stems are used as fire sticks. A seed oil/flower essence is obtained from the plant. The report is unclear. It could be referring to an oil obtained from the seed plus an essential oil obtained from the flowers.

Production

Young leaves are collected early in the rainy season.

Other Information

It has low palatability.

Notes

It is used in medicine.

Synonyms

?ceylanicumBorago zeylanica Burm.

Also Known As

Bluecurls, Dungumwamba, Heternuria, Jalashirasi, Jalasirasa, Jhingi, Jilarga, Lumuanba, Makace, Northern bluebell, Nyiragasaambu, Rough bluebell, Sesemranda, Thilungo, Tirupsing

References (38)

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Cronin, L., 1989, The Concise Australian Flora. Reed. p 27
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 52
Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 15

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