Cleome gynandra
L.
Spider flower, Cat's-whiskers
no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子
(c) Dave U, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Dave U
(c) Eric Knight, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Eric Knight
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves, Flowers, Pods, Seeds, Vegetable, Caution, Seeds - oil
Leaves - raw or cooked as a potherb. The bitter leaves are used as a vegetable after cooking, soaking or fermentation in order to reduce the bitterness. They are also added to soups and stews, pickled, or used as a flavouring in sauces. The leaves are said to provide a piquant taste, or a sourness, to the meal. They probably contain sinapin (could this mean sinalbin), the substance which gives mustard its 'biting' taste. They are considered very good for the stomach and to have antiscorbutic properties. The vitamin C content has been recorded at 6.0 mg per 100 gm dry weight. They are rich in minerals and the content of aluminium (at 1,390 ppm) and of iron (470 ppm), is unusually high. Flowers. The pungent seeds are sometimes eaten as a food when nothing better is available. They are also used as a condiment where they are a substitute for mustard seeds . The seeds contain around 17.6% oil. It is a good quality edible oil. The seed contains an edible polyunsaturated oil, which is extracted by simple pressing and does not need refining. Roots - cooked.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
A tropical plant. It commonly occurs as a self sown weed on cultivated land. It grows in warm or tropical regions. It grows at a range of elevations but especially above 600 m altitude. It will grow in semi arid, to wet humid climates. It will grow on many soil types, but needs fertile soil for good leaf production. A temperature of 18-25°C seems best. Plants need plenty of sunlight. They are not drought resistant but can produce a crop with short periods of rain. Plants cannot withstand flooding. A common weed of waste places throughout the Philippines as well as other tropical countries. It is often abundant near the sea and near Baguio. It can grow in arid places. In Yunnan. In Ethiopia it grows between 450-1,300 m above sea level.
Afghanistan, Africa, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Equatorial-Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guiana, Guinea, Guianas, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Lesser Antilles, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Marquesas, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Rwanda, Sahel, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
How to Identify
An annual herb. It grows to 0.6-0.9 m. It has a long tap root. It is erect and somewhat hairy. It usually has purple stems. The leaves occur one after another along the stalk. The leaf stalk is long. There are 5-7 leaflets which are unequal and spread out at the end. They are oblong and about 2.5-6 cm long by 1.4-3.2 cm wide. The leaflets are pointed at the base and a rounder near the tip with a rounder point at the tip. There are fine teeth along the edges of the leaves. The flowers are white or purple They occur in long flower clusters at the end of branches. These are 30 cm long. The flower clusters are showy with white or purplish flowers and a spidery like appearance. The fruit are a slender capsule with 2 valves and with many small seeds. They are 5-10 cm long and very narrow. The seeds are kidney shaped and rough. They are brown and have fine lines along them. They are 1-1.5 mm across.
Nutrition Score: 45/100
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | 86.6 | 142 | 34 | 4.8 | — | 26 | 6 | — |
How to Grow
The plant is grown from seed. The seed are broadcast. Fertile soil is needed to get plants with good leaf coverage. The seed germinate erratically, because the seed have a rest period after harvest. Seed germinate best 6 months after harvest. Once they are ready to grow, they germinate in 4-5 days. Leaves or whole plants can be harvested when 15 cm high. Picking out the tops encourages side growth and longer leaf production. Removing flowers extends the harvest period.
Propagation: Surface sow or only lightly cover seed in spring in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes 5–14 days at 25°c. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out in late spring. Daytime temperatures below 20°c depress germination, though a night-time drop to 20°c is necessary.
Medicinal Uses
A decoction of the root is used to treat fevers. Root juice is applied to relieve scorpion stings. The leaves, used as a poultice, act as a vesicant and rubefacient in treating rheumatism. Leaf juice serves as a remedy for ear pain. The seeds are anthelmintic and rubefacient. The whole plant is used in the treatment of scorpion stings and snake bites.
Other Uses
No other uses are known for this plant.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Cleome gynandra is a species of Cleome that is used as a leaf vegetable. It is known by many common names including Shona cabbage, African cabbage, spiderwisp, cat's whiskers, and stinkweed. It is an annual wildflower native to Africa but has become widespread in many tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world.
Production
Leaves can be harvested 4-5 weeks after planting. They can be harvested regularly or the whole plant up-rooted. Seeds reach maturity about 5 months after sowing. Leaves can be dried and stored.
Other Information
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. This plant is being recognised by scientists as a useful vegetable. It is popular in Malawi and Zimbabwe. It is not known if it is eaten in Papua New Guinea. It is sold in local markets.
Notes
Plants are high in Vitamin A and Vitamin C and calcium and iron. There are about 150 Cleome species. It has a C4 photosynthetic pathway. It has 6.7 mg per 100 g dry weight and 3.6 mg fresh weight of alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E).
Names & Synonyms
Adikyakharan, African spider-flower, Akaya, Akeo, Akeyo, Akiya, Alot dek, Amazonde, Amokabek, Ansarisha, Apoy-apoyan, Arkapushpika, Arwouessamboe, Bagra, Balaya, Bangara, Bastard-mustard, Bhubhuwan, Booti, Caravalla, Chamani, Churota, Ditchefouwounti, Ecadoi, Ejjobyo, Ekaboi, Ekeyo, Ekiau, Enceng-enceng, Eshoje, Eyobyo, Foubeyi, Gandhuli, Gangala, Garcia, Gasaya, Ghandhatu, Hingala, Hulul, Hurhura, Irraiso, Isaga, Ithea-utuka, Jirri, Junge phool, Kadughoo, Kanphodi, Karavela, Kathal, Kattkadugu, Kec nuom, Ketota, Kiyepieti, Knasi, Kokomen, Kornia, Langsana, Lerote, Lerotho, Lothue, Lubanga, Lude, Luni, Mamang, Manabo, Mangmang trang, Marang charmani, Mgagani, Mgange, Momienh, Motitlavan, Mukakai, Mumpala, Murudi, Mutaka, Mwaanzo, Mwaianzo, Nah sebe, Narum byale soppu, Neivaylla, Nimvi, Nsila, Nyevhe, Nyovhi, Pak-sian, Paksienedit, Pandharitilavan, Pandri-tilwan, Pandru sirio, Parhar, Phak sian, Raab, Rothwe, Rudhe, Runi, Sabo, Sada hurhuria, Sageti, Sake, Satitalvani, Seta kata arak, Shemeda, Sienz, Sishungwa, Shungwa, Sowounboyi, Spiderwisp, Suntha, Surjavarta, Taivela, Taiwela, Tamaleka, Taw-hingala, Tegeri, Thaivalaikeerai, Tichawoch, Tim-Légué, Titchefouwounti, Tsisaka, Tsuna, Ulube, Ulude, Umzonde, Vainta, Valay keeray, Vaminta, Velai, Velakura
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