Cape dandelion, Capeweed
Arctotheca calendula

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It has a short stem or no stem. It can grow 30 cm high and 80 cm wide. It has a taproot and ring of leaves at the base. The leaves are 5-25 cm long and 2-6 cm wide. The leaf stalks are 6 cm long. They clasp the stem. The leaves are spear shaped and backward pointing. They have deep lobes and are felted underneath. The flower head is 1.5 cm across and yellow.

Arctotheca calendula (L.) Levyns

Where it is found

It is a temperate or subtropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Australia, Chile, Hawaii, Pacific, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The pollen is used in cooking. The leaves are eaten as a snack and cooked as a vegetable.

Probably only a very minor edible plant.

Edible parts

Pollen, root, young leaves, caution

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Alloiozonium arctotideum Kunze; Arctotheca calendulacea (R. Br.); Arctotheca calendulacea (L.) K. Lewin; Arctotheca calendulaceum Lewin; Arctotis calendula L.; Arctotis hypochondriaceae Willd.; Arctotis speciosa Salisb.; Arctotis tristis L.; Cryptostemma calendula (L.) Druce; Cryptostemma calendulaceum (L.) R. Br.; Cryptostemma runcinatum R. Br.; Cryptostemma triste (L.) Domin;