Brachystelma cupulata
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 15 cm high. The leaves are oval or sword shaped. They are narrow and 3-8 cm long by 0.4-1.5 cm wide. There are short hairs on both surfaces. The flowers occur as one or two together. 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 900-1,600 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa
How it is used for food
The tubers are eaten raw or roasted in the ashes.
Edible parts
Tubers, root