Cephalocroton mollis

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A herb. It can be a small shrub with several stems. It has underground stems or rhizomes. It can grow 3.6 m high. It has a woody rootstock. The new stems have hairs. The leaf blades can be 1-11 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. The flowers are in clusters at the ends of branches. They are white with yellow stamens. The male flower head is 2 cm across. There is a ring of 1-4 female flowers at its base. The fruit are 1 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. It is a woody capsule. They are green and hairy. The seeds are 6-8 mm across and light brown.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid areas. It needs deep, well-drained sandy soils or loams. It grows between 25-1,100 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The kernel of the seeds is eaten raw. The root tubers are occasionally eaten.

The seeds have a pleasant nutty flavour and are a valued snack.

Edible parts

Seeds, tuber, root, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Mogehu, n/enagu, Ondete

Synonyms

Cephalocroton depauperatus Pax & K. Hoffm.; Cephalocroton pueschelii Pax;