Dissotis princeps

Description

An evergreen shrub. It grows 2.5 m high and spreads 2 m wide. The stem is erect and slender. It is hairy. The leaves are green and opposite. They are sword shaped and have parallel veins. The flowers are a blue to purple colour. They have 5 petals. They are in clusters at the ends of the branches. There are two varieties.

Edible Uses

The leaves are cooked and eaten, traditionally used as a famine food.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are cooked and eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It is best in rich, fertile, moist, well-drained soils. It needs a open shaded position. It is damaged by drought or frost. In Zimbabwe it grows between 1,200-2,000 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Africa*, Australia, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Other Information

They are a famine food.

Also Known As

Musukandarira, Rusukandarira, Sichobochono, Umpongamponga

References (8)

• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 350
• Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 47
• Fox, F. W. & Young, M. E. N., 1982, Food from the Veld. Delta Books. p 263
• Joffe, P., 2007, Creative Gardening with Indigenous Plants. A South African Guide. Briza. p 324
• Long, C., 2005, Swaziland's Flora - siSwati names and Uses http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/

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