Camptorrhiza strumosa

Family: Colchicaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It grows 20 cm high. It has an underground stem about 20 cm long and this has 2 oval corms at the end. The plant keeps growing from year to year. The leaves are narrow. They are in a zigzag pattern in 2 distinct rows. The lower leaves are 9-11 cm long by 5 mm wide. They become smaller higher up. The flowers are 50 mm long. They are pale red to brown. They occur singly in the axils of the upper leaves.

There are at least 5 Camptorrhiza species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid areas. It grows in areas with a marked dry season. The dry season can be 6-11 months. It grows in dry sandy soils. It grows between 45-1,530 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

The corms are eaten raw or baked in the hot ashes.

Edible parts

Corms, roots

How it is grown

Corms are available in the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Froetang, Shung

Synonyms

Camptorrhiza schlechteri (Engl.) E. Phillips; Iphigena dinteri Dammer; Iphigena flexuosa Baker; Iphigena strumosa Baker;