Milk weed
Asclepias fallax

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 40 cm tall. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems are erect and hairy. They have milky sap. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are broadly sword shaped and hairy on both surfaces. The flowers are in a single cluster at the top of the plant. There are 12-15 flowers in a cluster with equal length stalks from one point. The flowers are small and 5 mm long. They are white tinged with purple. The fruit is a single long follicle tapering to the tip. There are 6 or more spine like processes. The seeds are oblong and brown.

Also put in the family Asclepidaceae.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Eswatini, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland

How it is used for food

The leaves need to be well cooked. The leaves are cooked and eaten. They can be bitter and are used as a relish.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Umdayi, Umdoyi, Umdzayi, Xihaja

Synonyms

Gomphocarpus fallax Schltr.;