Caralluma quadrangula

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A succulent herb. It forms clumps 50 cm tall and 50 cm wide. The stems are erect, 4 angled and 1-3 cm across. They are branched. The angles have rounded teeth. The flowers are 1.25 cm across and in groups of 1-3 at the tips of the shoots. The fruit are follicles in pairs and are 8-10 cm long by 0.8 cm wide.

There are about 56-100 Caralluma species. These are sometimes put in the Asclepiadaceae. It has anti-diabetic activity.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean plant. It grows in higher and more arid areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Middle East, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen

How it is used for food

It probably should not be eaten in large amounts.

Edible parts

Plant, stem, flowers pods

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Boucerosia forskalii Decne. [Illegitimate]; Boucerosia quadrangula (Forssk.) Decne.; Desmidorchis forsskalii Decne. [Illegitimate]; Desmidorchis quadrangula (Forssk.) Kuntze; Echidnopsis quadrangula (Forssk.) Deflers;