Bitter wood
Xysmalobium acerateoides

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A herb. The stems spread along the ground and they can branch near the base. The leaves stand erect on the stem. The leaves are pale and have short stalks. The leaf blades are oval or sword shaped and taper equally to both ends. The leaves are 7 cm long by 2 cm wide. The midrib is prominent underneath. The flowers are at the ends. They are in round heads. They are white or cream. The fruit is prickly.

Also put in the family Asclepiadaceae.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean or subtropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Eswatini, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Umdzayi

Synonyms

Pachyacris acerateoides (Schltr.) Stewart & Langley; This may be the correct name. Asclepias acerateoides (Schltr.) Schltr.; Gomphocarpus acerateoides Schltr.;