Jasmine creeper
Orthanthera jasminiflora

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A herb that lies along the ground. It spreads 3-10 m wide. It has a taproot. The leaves are opposite and sword shaped. The flowers are in groups. There are 2-10 flowers in a group. They are cream or pale yellow and have 5 petals. The flowers have a strong scent. The fruit are a pair of follicles. They are spindle shaped and 10 cm long by 12 mm wide. They taper to a long beak.

There are 5 Orthanthera species. It has also been put in the Asclepiadaceae family.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in sandy places. It grows in well-drained soils. It grows in dry savannah. In Southern Africa it grows between 800-1,500 m altitude. It is often along roadsides in the Kalahari. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young pod is eaten raw. The fruit is used as a staple food. They are also boiled and baked. They are treated as a vegetable. It is eaten as a meat-like substance. The crushed roots are used to make beer.

It is a minor vegetable of local importance.

Edible parts

Fruit, pod, roots - drink, leaves, vegetable, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ekoka, Kamungambe, Matangan, Moerwortel, N-lai, Sandmelktou, Shamukamba

Synonyms

Orthanthera browniana Schinz; Barrowia jasminiflora Decne;