Pale bluebell
Wahlenbergia undulata

Family: Campanulaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It is erect and grows up to 60 cm high. It has scattered white hairs. The leaves are on the lower half of the shoot. They do not have leaf stalks. The leaves taper from the base to the tip. They are 6 cm long and 5 mm wide. The edges are wavy. There are a few short teeth. The flowers are at the top. The flowers are 1.3 cm long and have pointed lobes. They are blue.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in dry soils. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The root tuber is eaten raw. The leaves are cooked and eaten as a spinach.

Edible parts

Leaves, tuber, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Letoao, Morpetsane, Tenane, Ushwaqa

Synonyms

Campanula undulata L. f.; Wahlenbergia bojeri A. DC.; Wahlenbergia caledonica Sonder; Wahlenbergia caledonica Sonder var. cyanea (Engl. & Gilg.) von Brehmer; Wahlenbergia cyanea Engl. & Gilg.; Wahlenbergia denudata A. DC.; Wahlenbergia dinteri von Brehmer; Wahlenbergia engleri von Brehmer; Wahlenbergia oatesii Rolfe; Wahlenbergia scoparia von Brehmer;