Jackal's kost, Warty jackal food
Hydnora africana
Family: Aristolochiaceae
What it is like
It grows by living on the roots of other plants. It grows on Euphorbia species. The plant forms warty rhizomes just below the surface. These are 5 or 6 angled. The flowers are flesh coloured and arise from this underground stem. The flowers are 15 cm long and are rough and warty outside. The flowers have 3-4 erect fleshy lobes. They have a white spongy substance on their inner face. These produce a smell of rotting material. The round fleshy fruit matures underground.
There are 12 Hydnora species. Also put in the family Hydnoraceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Madagascar, Middle East, Namibia, Oman, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland
How it is used for food
The fruit can be baked in a fire and eaten. The flesh of the fruit can be sieved to remove the seeds, then whipped and flavoured. It can also be mixed with eggs and baked. It is used in vegetable dishes and in porridge. The root is eaten as a snack and a vegetable.
Edible parts
Flowers, fruit, root
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Jakkalskos, Kanni, Kannip, Kauimp, Khamlayyeh, Mavumbuka, Namoke, T'nau, Unopetse, Xamleg