Spiny emex
Emex australis
Family: Polygonaceae
What it is like
A small herb. It is like a dock but the stems trail along the ground. It is an annual plant. The leaves are 3-10 cm long on very long stalks. Male and female flowers are separate. The flowers are 2 mm long. The seed pods are large and spiny. The seed pods are about 1 cm long. They have 3 sharp spines.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It Africa it grows between 120-1,250 m above sea level. It grows in coastal and inland regions in Australia. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Australia, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Hawaii, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, New Zealand, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa, St Helena, Swaziland, Tasmania, USA, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The leaves and stems are steamed and eaten. They are used in stews.
Edible parts
Leaves, stem
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Bullhead, Cape spinach, Cat's head, Double gee, Dubbeltjie, Duwweltjie, Goathead, Inkunzane, Prickly jack, Three cornered jack