Oxygonum dregeanum var. canescens

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

An erect herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1 m tall. It has a thick woody rootstock and many branches rise from this. The stems have lines along them and are downy. The leaves have 3 deep lobes. These are narrow and with a tip. The flowers are in a spike at the top. The flowers are small and 13 mm long. They are white or cream and pink underneath. The fruit is oval and ribbed with prickles.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in sandy soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Lehlanye, Lesanye

Synonyms

Oxygonum calcaratum Meisn.; Oxygonum canescens Sond.; Oxygonum canescens var. subglabra Schinz; Oxygonum zeyheri Sond.;