Eriosema burkei var. burkei
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A short erect herb. It can grow 45 cm tall. It has a large woody rootstock and this produces one or several stems. The stems are 28 cm long and flattened. They are covered with rusty brown hairs. The leaves are compound and have 1-3 leaflets.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in seasonally burnt grassland. The rootstock survives fires. In Tanzania it grows between 1,500-1,800 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The tubers are dug up, washed and chewed raw.
Edible parts
Tubers, root
How it is grown
Tubers are collected during the rainy season.
Its other names
Local names
Inzihuluumbi, Kapande, Ng'owo