Boot protectors
Dicerocaryum zanguebarium
Family: Pedaliaceae
What it is like
A trailing annual herb. It can grow 2 m long. It has a thick woody rootstock. The leaves are opposite and lobed. They are green above and silvery white underneath. The flowers are tube shaped with 2 lips. They occur singly in the axils of the leaves. The are erect above the main stem. They are reddish. The fruit is a flattened disk. It has 2 hard prongs on the upper surface.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in the sandveld. It is often on poor soils. In Zimbabwe it grows between 1,470-1,650 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The leaves are cooked and eaten.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Inkunane, Liseto, Ruredzo, Unembwe