Afrosolen schimperi

Family: Iridaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 30-80 cm high. It has a bulb and keeps growing from year to year. The bulb can be 18-22 mm across. It has a netlike covering. It is dark brown. It can be 25 cm deep. The stems are angled. It has about 3 leaves. The flower has as a scent. The flower tube can be 12 cm long. It is white.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in seasonally water logged soils. The soils can be sandy loams or clays. It grows in locally moist sites in arid country. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Central Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Somalia, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The corm is eaten raw or baked. The brittle covering is removed. The corms are also pounded and used in stews.

Edible parts

Corm, bulb, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Onjenguluske

Synonyms

Acidanthera schimperi (Aschers. & Klatt) R. C. Foster; Lapeirousia cyanescens Welw. ex Baker; Lapeirousia porphyrosiphon Baker; Lapeirousia schimperi (Aschers. & Klatt) Milne-Redh.; Tritonia schimperi Aschers & Klatt;