Indape
Aponogeton desertorum

Family: Aponogetonaceae

What it is like

A herb. It has tubers 1-2 cm across. The stems are 30 cm long. The leaves are floating. There are 6-9 leaves per plant. The leaf blade is 5-17 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. The tubers are round. They can be 6 cm across. The flowers are yellow. They are in double spikes. The fruit are follicles 3 mm long.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in water. In Southern Africa it grows between 60-1,220 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

The root is peeled and then boiled or roasted and mashed with milk.

Edible parts

Tuber, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ikisanga, Ilganas

Synonyms

Aponogeton dinteri Engl. & Krause; Aponogeton holubii Oliv.; Aponogeton kraussianus Hochst. ex Krauss; Aponogeton eylesii Rendle;