Lady's hand
Cyanella hyacinthoides

Family: Tecophilaeaceae

What it is like

A herb. It develops a corm. It can grow as an annual or keep growing from year to year. It grows 15-35 cm high. There are several slender leaves develop from the corm. The corm has a long neck. The flowers are white, pink, purple or lilac. They have a scent. There are 5 small stamen above and one large stamen below.

It is high in Vitamin C.

Where it is found

It grows in warm temperate places. It grows on black peaty sand and dunes. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Australia, Botswana, Central Africa, Namibia, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The corms are eaten raw or cooked in milk or roasted.

It is regarded as a high quality staple food.

Edible parts

Root, bulb, fruit

How it is grown

A cleaned corm weighs about 14 gms. They are harvested during the wet season.

Its other names

Local names

Raap, Raaptol, Raapuintjie

Synonyms

Cyanella capensis L. [Illegitimate]; Cyanella pentheri Zahlbr.; and others