Curled caterpillar bush, Caterpillar-pod
Ormocarpum kirkii

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 2-9 m tall. The small branches are white. The bark is rough, corky and has furrows along it. The leaves are single and spread out along the young shoots. There are 7-13 leaflets. They are 6-12 mm long by 2-7 mm wide. The flowers are in groups of 1-3. The fruit is a coiled pod. It usually has one seed.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in woodland. It grows between 100-1,500 m altitude. It can grow in stony or sandy soil. It cannot tolerate frost. It is drought tolerant. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The dried leaves are pounded and sieved. This powder is stirred into warm water and boiled to produce a paste which is then eaten with groundnuts or rice.

Leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Leaves are collected during the rainy season and early dry season. The vegetable powder can be stored for several months.

Its other names

Local names

Chitadzi, Engokiki, Esekilianjoi, Hombo-kiumbu, Kapulula-mbuzi, Kigoje, Kirumbu, Kisogo, Kitazi, Kitimbwi kidala, Kiumbu, M'ghame, Matsiayi, Mopurrunha, Mtute, Mukuvale, Munni, Mupotanzou, Musinda, Muthingii, Muzisinde, Natsiimo, Tuuti, Uwi

Synonyms

Diphaca kirkii (S. Moore) Taub.; Ormocarpum affine De Wild.; Ormocarpum bibracteatum (A. Rich.) Baker; Ormocarpum mimosoides S. Moore;