African Spider Flower, Spiderwisp
Cleome gynandra

Family: Capparidaceae

What it is like

Cleome gynandra is a ANNUAL growing to 1.3 m (4ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf from May to October, in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 1.3

Where it is found

Open areas and uncultivated land to an elevation of 300 metres in Nepal.

Tropical and Sub-Tropical zones.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Equatorial-Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guiana, Guinea, Guianas, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Lesser Antilles, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

A decoction of the root is used to treat fevers. The juice of the root is used to relieve scorpion stings. The leaves, applied as a poultice, are used as a vesicant and rubefacient in the treatment of rheumatism. The juice of the leaves is a remedy for pain in the ear. The seeds are anthelmintic and rubefacient. The whole plant is used in the treatment of scorpion stings and snake bites.

Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Rubefacient: A counter-irritant and external stimulant, it produces inflammation and redness of the skin.

Stings: Used in the treatment of stings and insect bites.

Other

Rating: 0

How it is grown

Prefers a light fertile soil in a warm dry sunny position with plenty of room to spread. A frost tender plant, it can be grown as a summer annual in Britain.

Propagating it: Seed - surface sow or only lightly cover the seed in spring in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 5 - 14 days at 25°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in late spring. Day time temperatures below 20°c depress germination but a night time fall to 20° is necessary.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 8-12

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Cleome gynandra is considered an invasive weed in many places in the U.S. and in the Pacific.

Its other names

Local names

Shona cabbage, African cabbage, spiderwisp, cat's whiskers, chinsaga, stinkweed, Adikyakharan, African spider-flower, Akeyo, Akiya, Alot dek, Amazonde, Ansarisha, Apoy-apoyan, Arkapushpika, Bagra, Balaya, Bangara, Bastard-mustard, Bhubhuwan, Chamani, Churota, Ejjobyo, Ekaboi, Ekeyo, Ekiau, Enceng-enceng, Eshoje, Eyobyo, Gandhuli, Gasaya, Ghandhatu, Hulul, Isaga, Jirri, Kadughoo, Kanphodi, Karavela, Kathal, Kattkadugu, Ketota, Knasi, Kornia, Langsana, Lerotho, Lubanga, Lude, Luni, Mamang, Manabo, Mangmang trang, Marang charmani, Mgagani, Mgange, Momienh, Motitlavan, Mutaka, Narum byale soppu, Neivaylla, Nsila, Nyevhe, Nyovhi, Pak-sian, Paksienedit, Pandharitilavan, Parhar, Phak sian, Rothwe, Rudhe, Runi, Sada hurhuria, Satitalvani, Seta kata arak, Sienz, Sishungwa, Shungwa, Spiderwisp, Suntha, Surjavarta, Taivela, Taiwela, Tegeri, Thaivalaikeerai, Tim-Légué, Tsuna, Ulube, Ulude, Umzonde, Vainta, Valay keeray, Vaminta, Velai, Velakura.

Synonyms

Gynandropsis gynandra. (L.)Briq. G. pentaphylla. DC.