Brachystelma pulchellum
Schltr.
Hottentot's bread
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) graham_g, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Chris Wahlberg, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Chris Wahlberg
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Chris Wahlberg, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Chris Wahlberg
Description
A succulent herb. It grows 20 cm long from a thick tuber that is 5 cm across. There are 2 or more branches from the base and these divided. The leaves are spreading. The leaf blade is 4-20 cm long by 2-15 cm wide. They are oval or sword shaped. The flowers occur singly or in pairs.
Edible Uses
The tuber and root are eaten.
Distribution
It is a Mediterranean or subtropical plant. It grows on stony ground.
Where It Grows
Africa, Eswatini, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland,
Cultivation
It can be grown by dividing the rhizome or tuber. It can also be grown by stem cuttings. It can be grown from seeds.
Other Information
A famine food.
