Hottentots' cabbage
Trachyandra revoluta

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae

What it is like

An erect plant that has a rhizome. It grows 50 cm tall. It grows from a yellow slightly swollen root. The leaves are erect and slightly wavy. They are narrow and somewhat fleshy. The flowers are in a loose branches group. The flowers hang down. They are 8-10 mm long and white. The fruit is an almost round grey-brown capsule.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows near the coast and shoreline.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The flower heads are stewed.

Edible parts

Flower heads, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Hottentots' kohl, Watergras, Wilde ui

Synonyms

Anthericum elongatum Willd.; Anthericum revolutum L.; Phalangium elongatum (Willd.) Pers.; Phalangium revolutum (L.) Poir.; Trachyandra elongata (Willd.) Kunth;