Pompom cartwheels
Asclepias adscendens

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It grows 10-20 cm high. It branches at the base into several erect stems. The leaves are 5-18 cm long. They are narrowly sword shaped. They are rounded or heart shaped at the base. The flowers are in groups that occur singly at the top of the plant. There are 12-20 flowers in a group. The fruit are hollow pods 5 cm long and 1 cm wide.

Also put in the family Asclepiadaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. In South Africa it grows between 450-1,750 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Umdzayi

Synonyms

Gomphocarpus adscendens Schltr.;