Marloth's lavrinia
Larryleachia marlothii

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A herb or shrub that lies along the ground. It is succulent and keeps growing from year to year. It grows 15 cm high. The stems are 3-15 cm long and 2-6 cm thick. The flowers are in the upper parts of the stems. They are in groups of 1-5. They are yellow with red or purple marks. They are saucer shaped. The fruit are long, horn like pods.

Also put in the family Asclepiadaceae.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid places. It grows in places with a marked dry season. The dry season can be 6-11 months. It grows in well-drained sandy soils and amongst rocks. In southern Africa it grows below 1,000 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The stems are used as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Stems

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Lgoab

Synonyms

Trichocaulon keetmanshoopense Dinter; Trichocaulon marlothii N. E. Br.; Leachia marlothii (N. E. Br.) Plowes, illegitimate name; Leachiella marlothii (N. E. Br.) Plowes, illegitimate name; Lavrania marlothii (N. E. Br.) p.p.