Common Name:

General Information

Ibicella lutea is a spreading, annual plant growing 30 - 60cm tall and perhaps 1 metre wide. The plant has a strong smell and is covered with a sticky exudation. Insects often become stuck and die, leading people to believe that the plant is insectivorous - it does not produce digestive enzymes, however, and the jury seems to be still out on whether it is a true insectivorous plant.
The plant is sometimes gathered from the wild for local medicinal use. It is also cultivated as an ornamental and has been grown for the young fruits in Brazil, as well as in France in the 19th century[].

Known Hazards

The seeds have sharp, curved horns, which can attach themselves to animals feet and therefore be transported to another site[]. This can cause serious damage to the feet of some animals.

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of subtropical to tropical drier areas, where it is found at elevations from near sea level to over 1,000 metres.
Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil.
The plant has escaped from cultivation in some areas, particularly in drier regions, and become a troublesome weed[].
It takes around 20 weeks from seed sowing to the first flowers opening[].

Edible Uses

The young fruits are pickled or eaten as sweetmeats[, ].

Medicinal

The seeds are emollient, resolvent[]. They are used as a poultice[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water then sow in situ in a warm, sunny position.

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