Pachycarpus asperifolius

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A robust, erect herb. It grows 90 cm tall. The stem is slightly flattened and hairy. It grows from a tuberous rootstock. The leaves are large, simple and opposite. They have short stalks and are oblong to round. There are bristly hairs on both surfaces. The flowers are in groups at the nodes. The flowers are large and 20-25 mm long. They are greenish white with a tinge of purple. The fruit is a narrow follicle.

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 are cooked with other leaves and occasionally the leaves are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Umanhlangwana

Synonyms

Asclepias valida (Schltr.) Schltr.; Gomphocarpus asperifolius (Meisn.) Walp.; Gomphocarpus validus Schltr.; Pachycarpus inconstans N. E. Br.; Pachycarpus validus (Schltr.) N. E. Br.;