Tremble tops
Kohautia amatymbica

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is a slender plant that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 50 cm high. It has a large woody rootstock. It is erect and has few branches. It has few leaves. These are widely spaced on the stem. The leaves are 4 cm long by 2 mm wide. They have fluffy tufts in their axils. The flowers are in loose clusters at the ends of the stem. They are white and green. They are tube shaped. They have a strong scent. The fruit are round capsules.

There are about 60 Kohautia species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in grassland areas. It grows in hot arid regions. It needs well drained soil. It grows between 100-2,500 m above sea level. Plants can re-grow after fire. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The tuber is eaten raw.

Edible parts

Tuber, roots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Lehlokana, Mohlatsisa, Umfanozacile, Umqanda

Synonyms

Hedyotis amatymbica (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze; Oldenlandia amatymbica (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Kuntze;