Karmedik
Dicoma capensis
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A herb. It lies along the ground. It can grow each year from seed or take 2 years to complete its life cycle. It has a taproot and can keep growing for several years. The stem have a white coating. The leaves are simple and narrowly oval. They taper to the base and there are small teeth along the edge. The flowers are in pale red heads. There are some long spiny bracts. The flower heads are 2 cm across. They occur singly in the axils of the upper leaves.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in dry sandy soils. It grows between 150-1,400 m above sea level. It grows in areas with a rainfall below 250 mm per year. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Europe, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland
How it is used for food
The leaves are cooked and eaten.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Manku, Tshefhifha-vhana, Umgilane