Yellow spiderflower, Yellow bee plant
Cleomella lutea

Family: Cleomaceae

What it is like

An annual plant. It grows 30 cm high and spreads 50 cm wide. The stems are erect and slender. The leaves are compound. The flowers are yellow-orange. They are in groups at the top of the plant.

There are about 150 Cleome species. It was in the plant family Capparaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is best in light, well-drained, rich soils. It needs a protected sunny position. It is resistant to frost but damaged by drought.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Mexico, North America (country/location of origin), USA

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as a potherb. The seeds are ground into a meal.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Golden cleome

Synonyms

Cleome aurea Nutt.; Cleome lutea Hook.; Dianthera lutea Klotzsch; Isexina aurea (Nutt.) Raf.; Peritoma aurea Nutt.; Peritoma breviflora Wooton & Standl.; Peritoma lutea (Hook.) Raf.;