Neorautanenia amboensis

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A herb or small shrub. It keeps growing from year to year. It puts up annual shoots. It can grow 3 m high. The leaves are hairy and have lobes. The flowers are bright blue. The fruit are large woody pods. It has very large underground tubers.

Neorautanenia amboensis in Zimbabwe probably an error for Neorautanenia brachypus.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in well-drained sandy soils. It can grow in desert. It grows between 300-1,525m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The top of the tuber is cut off and the flesh pounded to give and emergency drink.

It is a famine food or drink.

Edible parts

Roots - drink

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Eona, Lekongkota, Phekuba

Synonyms

Dolichos brachypus Harms; Dolichos seineri Harms; Pueraria rogersii L. Bolus; Neorautanenia brachypus (Harms) C. A. Sm.; Neorautanenia coriacea C. A. Sm.; Neorautanenia edulis C. A. Sm.; Neorautanenia lugardii C. A. Sm.; Neorautanenia rogersii (L. Bolus) C. A. Sm.; Neorautanenia seineri (Harms) C. A. Sm.; Galactia lugardii N. E. Br.;