Helichrysum candolleanum

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb or shrub. It is small and straggling. It grows up to 90 cm high. It has a taproot. The branches are slender. The leaves are scattered and spreading. They are covered with grey woolly hairs. The leaves are narrow and blunt. The edges curve back. The leaves are 1.5 cm long by 2 mm wide. The flowers are at the ends. They are in compact round heads. These are 1.5 cm across. They are pink.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in well-drained sandy and stony soils. It grows in woodland and semi-desert. It grows between 30-2,000 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The stems and leaves are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Leaves, stems

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Okatendadikwa, Onapa, Oshitendadikua, Umaphipha

Synonyms

Helichrysum detersum Steud.; Helichrysum leptolepis DC.; Helichrysum pachyrhizum Harv.;