Red milkwort
Schizoglossum atropurpureum

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A tall herb. It keeps growing from year to year from a tuberous rootstock. It has few branches. The stems are slender and have white down. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are broad at the base and taper to a blunt point. The flowers occur in several groups at the top of the plant. The flowers are small and 5 mm long and dark purple. The fruit is a narrow follicle. The seeds are flat with tufts of hairs at the end.

Also put in the family Asclepiadaceae.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland

How it is used for food

The roots are peeled and eaten raw.

Edible parts

Tuber, roots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ishongwe, Sehoete-moru

Synonyms

Cynanchum atropurpureum (E. Mey.) D. Dietr.;