Pomaria burchellii

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A herb or small shrub. It has a taproot but no stem. It grows 50 cm high. It keeps growing from year to year by putting up annual shoots. The roots are 20 cm long with a brown skin and white flesh. The leaves are compound with leaflets along the stalk and one at the end. The flowers are pink or red. The fruit are oblique pods. They are 2-3 cm long by 1 cm wide. There are 3-4 seeds per pod.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid places with a marked dry season. The dry season can be 6-11 months. It grows in deep sandy soils. It grows between 800-1,350 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The root tubers are eaten raw and as a vegetable by roasting in the ashes.

The roots are chewed especially by children.

Edible parts

Roots, tuber

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kwabasa

Synonyms

Melanosticta burchellii DC.; Hoffmannseggia burchellii subsp. rubro-violacea (Baker f.) Hoffmannseggia burchellii (DC.) Benth. ex Oliv.; Hoffmannseggia rubro-violaceae Baker f.; Caesalpinia burchellii Spreng.; Caesalpinia melanosticta Spreng.;