Red indigo bush
Indigofera hilaris

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It has a woody rootstock. The stems are short and tufted. They are flattened and angular. The leaves are crowded. The leaves can have 1-4 divisions. The leaflets are oblong to sword shaped. The flowers are purple to crimson. The pod is 10-14 mm long by 1.3 mm wide. There are 4-6 seeds. See Indigofera compacta - probably now a synonym..

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 1,000-2,200 m above sea level in areas with a rainfall of 100-130 cm.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Central Africa, Congo DR, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Siswati, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The roots are eaten as a snack.

Edible parts

Roots, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chubhujeje

Synonyms

Indigofera compacta N. E. Br.; Indigofera hirta E. Mey.; Indigofera leipzigiae Bremer;