Afrosolen otaviensis

Family: Iridaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 50 cm high. It has a small tuber about 1 cm long and this forms about 20 cm underground. It is covered with brown scales. The flowers are white with a purple centre. They have a tube 5 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows between sea level and 1,800 m above sea level. It can grow in stony and sandy loam soils. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Namibia, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The tuber is dried, pounded and cooked. The scales are removed. It is then added to porridge.

Edible parts

Corm, tuber, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Onzondungua, Sekke

Synonyms

Lapeirousia otaviensis R. C. Foster; Psilosiphon otaviensis (R. C. Foster) Goldblatt & Manning;