Calyptrotheca somalensis
Gilg
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Seig, some rights reserved (CC BY)
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Seig, some rights reserved (CC BY)
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Seig, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Description
A shrub. It lies along the ground. The stems and leaves are succulent. It grows 3 m high. It has a large fleshy, tuberous rootstock. The leaves are oval with wavy edges. They are 2.5 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. The flowers are greenish or white. They are 4-20 in a cluster. They are at the ends of the small branches. The fruit are oval and yellow. They are 1 cm long and have 1 seed. The seed is black with a red, loved aril.
Edible Uses
The sap is consumed as a drink to quench thirst.
Traditional Uses
The sap is used for drink.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry soils. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall above 400 mm. It can grow in arid places.
Where It Grows
Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia,
Synonyms
Also Known As
Dalol, Duhn, Mukhudu-nyuma, Solol
References (3)
- Mutie, F. M., et al, 2023, Important Medicinal and Food Taxa (Orders and Families) in Kenya, Based on Three Quantitative Approaches. Plants 2023, 12, 1145
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (1999). Survey of Economic Plants for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (SEPASAL) database. Published on the Internet; http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/ceb/sepasal/internet [Accessed 6th June 2011]
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
