Ferraria glutinosa

Family: Iridaceae

What it is like

An erect herb. It grows 90 cm high. It has a corm or bulb. Several corms or bulbs often grow on top of one another. It does not have a stem. The corm is brown and 1-4 cm across. The leaves are narrow and 4-8 mm wide. There are several flowers on a stalk. The flowers are brown, red or purple. They can be spotted. The fruit is a capsule 12-20 mm long. The seeds are shiny and brown. They are 5 mm across. They have an irregular coat.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid places with a marked dry season. It grows in well-drained soils. It can grow in dry stony and sandy soils. It grows below 950 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, East Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The corm is eaten raw. They are dried and also boiled. They are also roasted.

Edible parts

Corm, roots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Onyen gulushe, Otjitetangoro

Synonyms

Ferraria bechuanica Baker; Ferraria randii (Rendle) Rendle; Ferraria welwitschii Baker;