Gisekia africana

Family: Gisekiaceae

What it is like

A herb. It can be erect or lie along the ground. It can grow from seed each year or keep growing from year to year. It can grow 2 m high. The stems are soft. The leaves are 1-8 cm long by 2 cm wide. They vary in shape. The flowers are dark red. They grow in groups. The petals have pink tips and a white centre. The fruit are blackish and covered with warts.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot and arid areas with a marked dry season. The dry season can be 6-11 months. It grows in stony and sandy soils. It can grow in desert. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Indochina, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

The seeds are collected by ants. They are then taken from the ant nests.

Its other names

Local names

Kaitatsilabe, Lishereshere, Ombuija, Toabeb, Tri-son

Synonyms

Gisekia pentadecandra Moq.;