Acalypha peduncularis

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The roots are eaten as a snack. The leaves are cooked as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Root, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ikotem

Synonyms

Acalypha crassa Buchinger ex C. Krauss; Acalypha peduncularis var. crassa (Buchinger ex C. Krauss) Mull.Arg.; Acalypha zeyheri var. pubescens Mull.Arg.; Ricinocarpus peduncularis (Meisn. ex C. Krauss) Kuntze;