Bird-cage brachystelma
Brachystelma circinatum

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A herb. It has underground stems or rhizomes. It is succulent and keeps growing from year to year. It grows 30 cm high. The leaves are narrow to oval. They are 5-15 mm long. They can be flat or folded upwards. The flowers occur as 2 or a few at the nodes. They are white to red. The tubers are 10 cm across.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant that grows in hot arid places. It grows in areas with a marked dry season. In southern Africa it grows between 500-1,600 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The tubers are eaten raw or roasted in hot ash.

Edible parts

Tuber, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Otjipembati

Synonyms

Dichaelia circinata (E. Mey.) Schltr.; Brachystelma galpinii (Schltr.) N. E. Br.; Brachystelma pallidum (Schltr.) N. E. Br.;