Leptadenia pyrotechnica
Family: Apocynaceae
What it is like
A densely branching shrub. It can grow to 4 m high. The young branches can have many small leaves but these fall off. The stems are green and capture sunlight. The flowers are yellow and 5-7 mm across. They grow in clusters on the stem. They have 5 petals. The fruit are seed pods that are long, thick, slightly curved and pointed. The seeds are attached by silky hairs.
It is important in medicine.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in the desert. It grows in sandy, gravelly and stony soils. It grows in the Sahel in West Africa. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 100-400 mm. It can grow in arid places. It is highly salt tolerant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Algeria, Asia, Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Israel, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, UAE, West Africa, Yemen
How it is used for food
The tuberous roots are eaten as a vegetable. The young flowers are eaten raw. The leaves, young shoots and flowers are used to flavour soups.
Edible parts
Leaves, flowers, fruits, twigs, roots, vegetable
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Khimp, Khip, Kip, Markh, Moroh, Titarek
Synonyms
Cynanchum pyrotechnicum Forssk.; Leptadenia spartium Wight & Arn.;