Parsley tree
Heteromorpha arborescens var. abyssinica

Family: Apiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It can grow to 7 m high. It is straggling and open. The bark is reddish-brown. It peels in papery flakes. The leaves are alternate and compound. There are 3-9 leaflets. The leaves have a smell like carrots. The flowers are small and often in round heads. The fruit are often flattened and 5-7 mm long.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid places. It grows in sandy loams. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The root tubers are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are also used as flavouring in dairy like preparations.

Edible parts

Roots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Idja-mbuzi, Nampyirepyire

Synonyms

Heteromorpha arborescens (Thunb.) Schltdl. & Cham.; Heteromorpha trifoliata (H. L. Wendl.) Eckl. & Zeyh.;