Acrotome inflata

Benth.

Ericaceae Edible: Nectar 347 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

iNaturalist· cc-by-sa

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Acrotome inflata (horsefright or tumbleweed) is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae. This species is native to Africa. Acrotome inflata was first described in 1848 by George Bentham. The name "horsefright" is derived from the Afrikaans "perdeskrikbossie" (horse-fright bush).

Description

An annual herb. It grows 15-70 cm tall. The leaves are oblong to sword shaped and 3-10 cm long by 1-2.5 cm wide. There are many flowers in rings in round clusters.

Edible Uses

The nectar is eaten as a snack.

Traditional Uses

The nectar is eaten as a snack.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

An infusion of the leaves is used to relieve persistent coughing. The dried, spiny flower heads are gently rubbed on the affected area to relieve aching breasts.

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant.

Where It Grows

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

A plant of drier areas in the tropics and subtropics.

Other Uses

The flower heads are burnt to repel mosquitoes.

Synonyms

Acrotome amboensis Briq.Lasiocorys eenii (Hiern) BakerLeucas eenii Hiern

References (2)

Ruiters-Welcome, A. K., 2019, Food plants of southern Africa. Ph.D. thesis. Univ. of Johannesburg p 69
Welcome, A. K. & Van Wyk, B.-E., 2019, An inventory and analysis of the food plants of southern Africa. South African Journal of Botany 122 (2019) 136–179