Bush carrot
Stenostelma capense

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A herb with a taproot. It grows 30 cm high. It can keep growing from year to year. The roots are long and spindle shaped. They are 30 cm long by 5 cm wide. The stems are usually branched. The leaves are narrow. They are 7 cm long by 5 mm wide. They are slightly hairy on the upper surface. The flowers are small and brownish-green. They are in groups on long flowering stalks.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid areas with a marked dry season. It can grow in places with a dry season of 6-11 months. In southern Africa it grows between 900-1,500 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The root tubers are roasted and eaten. They are baked in hot ashes.

Edible parts

Roots, tubers

How it is grown

It grows in the Kalahari and is eaten during the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Mpungu, Ombaruru

Synonyms

Gomphocarpus stenoglossus Schltr.; Krebsia stenoglossus (Schltr.) Schltr.; Schizoglossum aciculare N. E. Br.; Schizoglossum capense (Schltr.) H. Huber;