Buffalo tongue Berkeya
Berkheya setifera

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. It can grow up to 1.2 m high. It keeps growing from year to year. It puts up annual stems. The stems have a covering of hairs. The leaves are mainly near the base with smaller leaves on the stems. They are broadly oval and 45 cm long. They have spiny bristles on them. The leaves narrow towards the base. The flower head is at the top of the plant. It is 3-6 cm across. They are yellow.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in wooded grassland. It can grow in arid places. In grows at higher altitudes in Swaziland.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, 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

Lulwimi lwenkhomo, Mavambuka, Ulimi-lwenkomo

Synonyms

Berkheya setifera DC. var. tropica S. Moore; Crocodilodes setiferum (DC.) Kuntze;