Dipcadi marlothii
Family: Asparagaceae
What it is like
An erect herb plant with a bulb. It grows 50-100 cm high. The bulb is round but extends into a neck. It has a brown leathery skin. The leaves are thin and narrow tapering to a long point. The flowers occur as about 12 flowers around the stalk. The individual flowers are 18 mm long and green. They are shaped like a cylinder but with a tip which rolls back. The fruit are an oblong ridged capsule.
They have also been put in the families Hyacinthaceae and Liliaceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in the Kalahari.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
CAUTION: Some closely related Dipcadi are used as rat poison. The bulbs are eaten raw and also cooked.
It is eaten by Bushmen in South Africa.
Edible parts
Bulb
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Dronkui, Morotoana, Ncamjolo, Phokoana, Phookoana, Umgcobane