Cat's claw, Kalahari-sand cat's-whiskers
Kalaharia uncinata

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A herb or shrub with spines. It grows 40-90 cm tall. It has a woody rootstock. The stems are angular and spread out. The branches are straight and 60 cm long. The leaves are in opposite pairs. They are dull bluish-green. They have soft white hairs. The leaves are oval and taper to both ends. They are 2 cm long. There are 2 hooked thorns near the base of the leaves. The flowers are bright red. They are 5 irregular petals. The lower two are the longest. The flowers are red and about 4 cm across. The fruit are berries. The fruit are 1-2 cm across. They have slight lobes and are fleshy.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows well in deep sand. It grows in semi desert in the Kalahari.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The root is used as a vegetable. The fruit are eaten as a snack.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Fruit, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cikosa, Ciswe, Gyuag//a, Ikikosa

Synonyms

Clerodendrum spinescens Gurke; Clerodendrum uncinatum Schinz; Cyclonema spinescens Oliv.; Kalaharia spinescens (Gurke) Gurke; Kalaharia spinipes Baill.; Kalaharia uncinata var. hirsute (Moldenke) Moldenke; Rotheca uncinata (Schinz.) P. P. J. Herman & Retief; and others