Thorny salad bush
Didelta spinosa

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A shrub or dense narrow tree. It grows to 3 m high. The bark is pale brown and rough. It flakes off in long strips. The leaves are opposite and each pairs is at right angles to the next. The leaves are simple and broadly oval. They are 2-6 cm long by 1.3-5 cm wide. They are succulent. They can have cobweb like hairs. The edges are toothed with a spine at each tooth. The flowers are in daisy-like heads. They are yellow and 6 cm across. The fruit are small seed-like nuts.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in stony desert areas. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall of 100-150 mm. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The leaves are used in salads. They are also cooked.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Slaaibos

Synonyms

Polymnia spinosa L. f.;