Indigofera cordifolia
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A herb. It grows from seeds each year. It lies along the ground and is branched. It grows 30 cm high. The leaves are simple. They are 6-16 mm long and 4-13 mm wide. They are broadly oval and hairy on both sides. There are 4-8 flowers in a head. They are red. The fruit is a pod 4-5 mm long. It is densely hairy. There are 2 seeds.
There are about 700 Indigofera species. Chemical composition (after Church 1898): Water = 6.1%. Oil = 1.3%. Albumenoids = 30,8%. Carbohydrates (soluble) = 46.0%?. Fibre = 11.2%. Ash = 4.6%.
Where it is found
It is a tropical and subtropical plant. In southern China it grows on sunny slopes between 100-400 m above sea level. It does best on light sandy soils. It grows in desert areas. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Australia, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Chad, China, East Africa, East Timor, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Mali, Mauritania, Middle East, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Socotra, Sudan, Timor-Leste, West Africa, Yemen
How it is used for food
Caution: The seeds have been mixed with other seeds to make bread but are poisonous on their own.
Edible parts
Seeds, caution
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Bakereya, Bekar, Botsaka, Godadi, Godadi bodaga, Potre