Hombo
Monsonia angustifolia
Family: Geraniaceae
What it is like
An annual herb. It lies along the ground. It grows 50 cm high. The stems are branched and reddish-purple. They are hairy. The leaves are narrowly oblong. There are irregular teeth along the edge. The flowers usually occur singly. They are white or pink with dark blue veins. The fruit is made up or 5 carpels with one seed each. The seeds are pale brown.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid places. It grows in well-drained soil. It grows between 800-2,300 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The seeds are added to maize porridge. They are also used in beers.
Edible parts
Seeds
How it is grown
The seeds are often gathered by ants.
Its other names
Local names
Alsobos, Hombo, Malengoane, Malorolotsoane, Phusana, Remarungana