Brachystelma coddii
R. A. Dyer
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Kate Braun, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Kate Braun
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Kate Braun, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Kate Braun
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Simon Attwood, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Simon Attwood
Description
A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It has a tuber 2-5 cm across. There can be one or several stems. They are 5-15 cm long or longer. The leaves are broadly oval. They have a few hairs. They are dark green and opposite. The flowers usually occur singly. They are star shaped. They have a shallow tube 7 mm across. They are cream with maroon spots.
Edible Uses
The tubers and roots are edible and traditionally used as a famine food.
Distribution
It is a subtropical plant. It grows on sandy outcrops.
Where It Grows
Africa, Eswatini, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland,
Cultivation
It can be grown from tubers or bulbs. It can also be grown from seeds. Fresh seed should be used.
Other Information
It is a famine food.
References (1)
- Long, C., 2005, Swaziland's Flora - siSwati names and Uses http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/
