Trochomeria debilis

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is a pumpkin family plant. It can lie along the ground or be a climber. It grows 1 m high. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems can have short hairs. It has simple tendrils. It has a large underground tuber. The leaves are 2-6 cm long by 2-11 cm wide. They are broadly oval and often have lobes. Male and female flowers are separate. Male flowers occur singly or in small groups and have short stalks. Female flowers have 1 cm long stalks. The seeds are 8-9 mm long by 5-6 mm wide and 3 mm thick.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in deep well-drained soils. It can be amongst rocks or in sands or loams. It grows between 460-1,850 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The large underground storage organ is roasted and eaten. The tuber is split in half and the bitter centre removed before roasting.

Edible parts

Root, tuber, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Laloentjie

Synonyms

Zehneria debilis Sond.; Zehneria wyleana Sond.;