Cleome spinosa
Jacq.
Spiny spider flower
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Summary
Source: WikipediaCleome spinosa, called the spiny spiderflower, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Cleome. It is native to the New World Tropics, and has been introduced to the United States, tropical Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, Vietnam, New Caledonia, and Korea. It is pollinated by bats.
Description
A small herb. It grows 60-90 cm high. It spreads 1.2 m wide. The stems are slender. It has prickly stems. The leaves are large. They have 5-7 lobes. The flowers are pink to white or purple. They are in clusters at the top of the plant.
Edible Uses
The leaves are edible.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It is best in a well-drained, moist soil. It needs a sunny position. It is resistant to frost but damaged by drought. It grows in tropical America.
Where It Grows
Africa, Asia, Australia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America, Congo, Cuba*, Dominican Republic, Gabon, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Jamaica, Korea, Lesser Antilles*, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America*, Suriname, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies*,
Cultivation
Plants are grown from seeds.
Notes
Cleome afrospinosa and Cleome spinosa may be separate species.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Akoghele, Trnata kleoma
References (10)
- Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 265
- Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 1. Kew.
- Dalziel,
- Enum. syst. pl. 26. 1760 (Select. stirp. amer. hist. 190. 1763)
- Flora of Pakistan. www.eFlora.org (As Cleome heptaphylla)
Show all 10 references Hide references
- Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 204 (As Cleome heptaphylla)
- Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 77
- Plants of Haiti Smithsonian Institute http://botany.si.edu
- Raponda-Walker, A & Sillans, R., 1961, Les Plantes Utiles du Gabon. Editions Paul Lechevalier, Paris. p 117
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
