Pentatropis nivalis

Family: Asclepiadaceae

What it is like

A twining herb. It grows 4 m tall. The older stems have rough corky bark. The leaves are opposite and have short leaf stalks. They are fleshy and narrowly oblong. They are 1-5 cm long by 04.-3 cm wide. The flowers are in 5 flowered clusters in the axils of leaves. They are pale greenish yellow. The pods are 5-7 cm long by 1 cm wide. They are narrowed to a long tip. The seeds are oval and flattened. They are 4.5 mm long with a tuft of hairs at the tip.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It can grow in dry and arid areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Middle East, Oman

How it is used for food

The young pods are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, pods

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Asclepias forsskalii Schult.; Asclepias nivalis J. F. Gmel.; Asclepias nivea Forssk.; Pentarrhinum fasciculatum K. Schum.;