Large turret flower
Asclepias eminens

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year from tuberous roots. The stems can lie along the ground. They are 30 cm long. The leaves are simple and narrow. The edges are curved back. The flowers are in a group at the top of the plant. There are 3-6 flowers. The petals curve back. The flowers are green and 25 mm long. The fruit is a follicle tapering to a long tip.

It is also put in the family Asclepidaceae.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in grasslands and on rocky hillsides.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked as a spinach. They are also eaten raw. The roots are dried and crushed and mixed with boiling cows milk to make a drink.

Edible parts

Leaves, stems, flowers, roots - drink

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Montsoko, Montsokoane

Synonyms

Gomphocarpus eminens Harv.; Stenostelma eminens (Harv.) Bullock;