Common Name:

General Information

Dolichos kilimandscharicus is an erect or rarely decumbent herbaceous perennial plant with several annual stems 25 - 120cm tall arising from a large, perennial, woody rootstock. The rootstock can be 14 - 45cm long and 7 - 30cm in diameter. The plant usually flowers when the leaves are absent or under-developed[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Eastern and southern Africa - Sudan and Ethiopia, south to northern S. Africa and east through Zambia to Angola

Habitat

Grassland, woodland and intermediate types, bushland, forest edges, miombo woodland, dambo, open thickets, wooded grassland, often pyrophytic; at elevations from 700 - 2,100 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.80 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny posiion in a rich, moist soil[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Flowers - cooked[]. They are often cooked with other leaves, such as Vigna phaseoloides, or with other flowers, such as those of Sphenostylis species. Potashes are usually added to the water in order to soften the flowers, and pounded groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea) are added[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The woody roots are rich in saponins. They are used as a soap substitute for washing clothes[, ].

Traps can be cut from the woody rootstock[].

An infusion of the roots is sprinkled on native pots before firing in order to prevent breakages[].

Propagation

Seed -

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