Bi
Raphionacme burkei
Family: Apocynaceae
What it is like
A herb. It has a thick round tuber. It is 15 cm across. The stems arise from this tuber during the growing season. The stems have milky latex. The flowers are green and hairy. They occur in clusters among the leaves. The fruit are long thin capsules. Probably now Raphionacme velutina
It is also put in the family Periplocaceae.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in the Kalahari.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa
How it is used for food
The tubers are eaten raw. They are scraped then squeezed. They are a source of drinking water.
Edible parts
Tuber, root, caution
How it is grown
The round storage root can weigh 2.5 kg.
Its other names
Local names
Bie a, Ella