Common Name:

General Information

Edithcolea grandis is a succulent, perennial, leafless plant looking rather like a cactus. The five-angled stems are 2 - 3cm in diameter, more or less branched and armed with hard, brown, very acute, spinelike teeth. The plant usually grows up to 30cm tall, exceptionally to 70cm, the stems trailing along the ground near their base before becoming more upright towards their tips[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is an attractive succulent with beautiful flowers and is sometimes grown as an ornamental in arid gardens[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

East tropical Africa - Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania; also in Yemen.

Habitat

Desert-like, dry and hot localities, in full sun or sometimes in the light shade of rocks or other plants, on sandy soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.25 m
Pollinators	Flies
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the arid tropics.
Grows best in a sunny position, but tolerates light shade[]. Plants require a very well-drained soil[].
The flowers have a slightly foetid smell, which attracts flies[].

Edible Uses

Stems - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Propagation is possible by seed and by cuttings. Stem cuttings root easily and best results are obtained at temperatures above 27°C in light shade; the soil has to be well drained because the plant rots extremely easily. Plants tolerate temperatures as low as 4°C, but the temperature should preferably not drop below 12°C. Established plants need much sun for growth, so cultivation is difficult in many temperate regions[].

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