Ethiopian kale
Erucastrum arabicum

Family: Brassicaceae

What it is like

An annual creeping herb. It lies along the ground. It grows each year from seeds. It grows 1 m high. The leaves are in a ring and are grey-green. They are slightly hairy. The leaves are divided and 18 cm long by 5 cm wide. The large lobe at the end is rounded. The flowers are yellow. They are on long slender shoots. The fruit is a long slender capsule. It can be 5 cm long. The seeds are brown.

The seeds contain about 35% oil.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Ethiopia it grows in the highlands. In Kenya it grows from sea level to 2,500 m altitude. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 1,100-1,900 mm. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Arabia, Asia, Botswana, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo DR, Djibouti, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Middle East, Namibia, North Africa, Oman, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Yemen, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young leaves and stalks are eaten after cooking. The roots are removed and the leaves and stalks boiled for an hour. It can cause the skin to become dry and also produce sleepiness. The leaves are used in soups.

A famine food. It is of local importance in times of famine.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Young leaves can be harvested at regular intervals.

Its other names

Local names

Cheplemindet, Enyaro, Eshaaga, Eshaga, Gomanza, Itogotia, Moyowarwa, Nechelo, Njunge, Nonion, Oburobwenaku, Shimpa, Togotia, Yewof-gomen

Synonyms

Brassica arabica (Fisch. & Mey.) Fiori; Brassica schimperi Boiss.; Diplotaxis inopinata Sprague; Kibera arabica (Fisch. & Mey.) V. I. Dorof.; Sisymbrium abyssinicum E. Fourn.; Sisymbrium hararense Engl.;