Caralluma edulis

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

An erect succulent herb. It grows 14-45 cm tall. The branches have 4 grooves. The leaves are opposite and simple. The leaves are 6-13 mm long and narrow. The flowers are in pairs in the axils of scale like bracts. The fruit are dry and have many seeds. They are 9-11 cm long.

There are about 56-100 Caralluma species. These are sometimes put in the Asclepiadaceae.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It can grow in arid places. It grows from sea level to 1,300 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, East Africa, Eritrea, India, Iran, Mauritania, Middle East, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, UAE, West Africa

How it is used for food

It is cooked and used as a vegetable. It is also eaten raw.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable, stems

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chang, Chaunga, Pamanai, Pamankai, Pippa, Pippu, Sittu

Synonyms

Boucerosia edulis Edgew.; Boucerosia stocksiana Boiss.; Caralluma longidens N. E. Br.; Caralluma vittata N. E. Br.; Caralluma mouretii A. Chev.; Caudanthera edulis (Edgew.) Meve & Liede; Cryptolluma edulis (Edgew.) Plowes; Spiralluma longidens (N. E. Br.) Plowes;