Afrosolen bainesii

Family: Iridaceae

What it is like

A herb. It has a bulb or corm. These are bell shaped. They have a flat bottom. They have a coarse dark brown covering that easily peels off. They are deep in the soil. They can be 3 cm long by 2 cm wide. They can be 10 cm deep in the soil. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 30-60 cm high. The stems have angles or wings. The leaves are 5-7 mm wide. They are narrowly sword shaped. The flowers have a sweet scent. The flowers are tube shaped and pale blue or pale pink. They can be white or have red marks.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in stony and sandy soils. It grows between 600-1,350 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The corm or bulb is eaten raw and added to vegetable dishes. They are often roasted but can be pounded and added to stew. They can be dried and stored.

Edible parts

Corm, bulb, root

How it is grown

The corms are available for about 5 months of the year.

Its other names

Local names

Onyengulushe

Synonyms

Lapeirousia bainesii Baker; Psilosiphon bainesii (Baker) Goldblatt & J. C. Manning;