Golden star drops
Asclepias aurea

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A slender herb. It is erect and has few branches. It grows 55 cm high. It grows each year from a rootstock that lasts from year to year. The leaves are narrow. They are 8 cm long. The edges are rolled under. There are 3-7 flowers in a group. They are yellow. The outer lobes taper to a long point.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry grassland. It grows between 1,000-2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The tap root is eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Roots, taproot, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Aidomene parvula Stopp; Asclepias aurea var. brevicuspis S. Moore; Asclepias aurea var. vittata N.E. Br.; Asclepias pedunculata (Decne.) Dandy; Asclepias radiata S. Moore; Gomphocarpus aureus Schltr.; Gomphocarpus longipes Oliv.; Gomphocarpus pedunculatus Decne.; Gomphocarpus schizoglossoides Schltr.; Stathmostelma pedunculatum (Decne.) K.Schum.;