Spiny spider flower
Cleome spinosa

Family: Cleomaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It grows 60-90 cm high. It spreads 1.2 m wide. The stems are slender. It has prickly stems. The leaves are large. They have 5-7 lobes. The flowers are pink to white or purple. They are in clusters at the top of the plant.

Cleome afrospinosa and Cleome spinosa may be separate species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is best in a well-drained, moist soil. It needs a sunny position. It is resistant to frost but damaged by drought. It grows in tropical America.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America, Congo, Cuba (country/location of origin), Dominican Republic, Gabon, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Jamaica, Korea, Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America (country/location of origin), Suriname, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Akoghele, Trnata kleoma

Synonyms

Cleome afrospinosa Iltis; Cleome pubescens Sims; Cleome pungens Willd.;