Glossonema boveanum

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 15-30 cm tall. It keeps growing from year to year. The leaves are 0.5-3 cm long by 0.5-2 cm wide. The lower leaves are larger than higher leaves. There are about 5 flowers in a group.

Also put in the family Asclepiadaceae. It possibly promotes milk production.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the Sahara and in arid places. It grows from sea level to 1,200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, West Africa

How it is used for food

The leaves are used in sauce.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Achakan, CakumGraynat, Marka digini, Marku djiguini, Taarin-gidaa

Synonyms

Cynanchum boveanum Decne; Glossonema affine N. E. Br.; and others