Blepharis edulis
(Forssk.) Pers.
Acanthaceae
There has been confusion between this species and Blepharis ciliaris, a species found further east the Indian subcontinent and used medicinally there[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Acanthodium spicatum Delile
Acanthus edulis Forssk.
Blepharis hirta latifolia Martelli
Blepharis obovata Chiov.
Common Name:
General Information
Blepharis edulis is an erect to prostrate, annual to perennial plant growing up to 50cm tall. This is an exceedingly variable species and plants in dry places or from the beginning of the rainy season may be very small with often a single spike only, whereas under more favourable conditions large, procumbent, branching plants may develop[
500- Title
- Flora of Somalia
- Publication
-
- Author
- Thulin M. (Editor)
- Publisher
- Kew Publishing, London.
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Detailed information on the plants of the region, often adding notes on the plants uses.
].
It is sometimes gathered from the wild for its edible seed.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
500- Title
- Flora of Somalia
- Publication
-
- Author
- Thulin M. (Editor)
- Publisher
- Kew Publishing, London.
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Detailed information on the plants of the region, often adding notes on the plants uses.
,
515- Title
- Flora of Tropical Africa Vol 1 - 8
- Publication
-
- Author
- Var
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- L.Reeve & Co.; Ashford, Kent.
- Year
- 1868 - 1917
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Very little information on habitat, range and uses, but gives good descriptions of the plants. It can be downloaded from the internet.
Range
Africa - semi-arid areas from Mauritania to Sudan, south to Tanzania, east through Arabia to Iran.
Habitat
Deep, sandy places and calcareous soils.
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Annual/Perennial |
| Height | 0.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
Seed[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
