Hoffmannseggia burchellii
(DC.) Benth. ex Oliv.
Fabaceae
Caesalpinia melanosticta Spreng.
Melanosticta burchellii DC.
Pomaria burchellii (DC.) B.B.Simpson & G.P.Lewis
Common Name:
General Information
Hoffmannseggia burchellii is a shortly erect or decumbent to ascending herbaceous perennial plant, producing stems 12 - 45cm long from a woody rootstock. The stems are more or less woody and can persist. The root-stock, at least in subsp. Burchellii, bears fusiform tubers up to 15cm long[
].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for its edible roots.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
Southern Africa - Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, S. Africa.
Habitat
Sandy soils[
]. Wooded grassland, mixed woodland; dry riverbeds; on Kalahari sand; at elevations from 900 - 1,200 metres[
328- Title
- African Flowering Plants Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
- Publisher
- Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial |
| Height | 0.30 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
The plant grows in the wild on sandy soils[
].
Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
Edible Uses
Root - raw[
775- Title
- Gemsbok Bean and Kalahari Truffle
- Publication
-
- Author
- Leffers A.
- Publisher
- Gamsberg MacMillan; Namibia.
- Year
- 2003
- ISBN
- 99916-0-491-X
- Description
- Details of the traditional uses of over 200 species of plants in northeastern Namibia. Written for the non-expert, there is usually at least one photograph with each plant entry.
]. A slightly sweet flavour, they are loved by children though adults seldom eat them[
775- Title
- Gemsbok Bean and Kalahari Truffle
- Publication
-
- Author
- Leffers A.
- Publisher
- Gamsberg MacMillan; Namibia.
- Year
- 2003
- ISBN
- 99916-0-491-X
- Description
- Details of the traditional uses of over 200 species of plants in northeastern Namibia. Written for the non-expert, there is usually at least one photograph with each plant entry.
]. The roots are chewed for their sweet juice, then the fibrous remains are spat out[
775- Title
- Gemsbok Bean and Kalahari Truffle
- Publication
-
- Author
- Leffers A.
- Publisher
- Gamsberg MacMillan; Namibia.
- Year
- 2003
- ISBN
- 99916-0-491-X
- Description
- Details of the traditional uses of over 200 species of plants in northeastern Namibia. Written for the non-expert, there is usually at least one photograph with each plant entry.
]. The finger-shaped roots are up to 15cm long, produced in clusters of around 10 roots[
,
775- Title
- Gemsbok Bean and Kalahari Truffle
- Publication
-
- Author
- Leffers A.
- Publisher
- Gamsberg MacMillan; Namibia.
- Year
- 2003
- ISBN
- 99916-0-491-X
- Description
- Details of the traditional uses of over 200 species of plants in northeastern Namibia. Written for the non-expert, there is usually at least one photograph with each plant entry.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
