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Asclepias affinis

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 50 cm tall. It is stout and erect but can lean over. It is unbranched. The leaves have short stalks. The leaves are 7 cm long by 4 cm wide and broadest just above the base. They taper to a blunt tip. The flowers are at the top. There can be 25 flowers in a dense group that are turned sideways. They can be pink, purple or greenish yellow.

There are 100 Asclepias species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Eswatini, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland

How it is used for food

The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a spinach.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Tshalale

Synonyms

Gomphocarpus affinis Schltr.;