Edible Plants of the World

Spider flower, Cat's-whiskers

Spider flower, Cat"s-whiskers

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.

Also known as:

Adikyakharan, African spider-flower, Akaya, Akeo, Akeyo, Akiya, Alot dek, Amazonde, 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, 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, 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, Sake, Satitalvani, Seta kata arak, Shemeda, Sienz, Sishungwa, Shungwa, Sowounboyi, Spiderwisp, Suntha, Surjavarta, Taivela, Taiwela, Taw-hingala, Tegeri, Thaivalaikeerai, Tim-Légué, Titchefouwounti, Tsisaka, Tsuna, Ulube, Ulude, Umzonde, Vainta, Valay keeray, Vaminta, Velai, Velakura

Synonyms

Edible Portion

Where does Spider flower grow?

Found in: 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, Mexico, 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, 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, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

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).

Status: 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.

Growing Spider flower, Cat's-whiskers

Cultivation: 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.

Edible Uses: The leaves are eaten. If they are cooked the bitter taste is reduced. They are also used in flavouring sauces. The leaves are also blanched, dried and stored. The flowers can be eaten. Young pods are also eaten. The oil from the seeds is edible without needing to be refined. The leaves can be candied in vinegar or in salt water, then eaten with fish. The seeds are used as a spice in curries. Caution: Fresh plants can contain hydrocyanic acid and should be cooked.

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.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part Energy (kcal) Protein (g) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (ug) Vitamin c (mg) Zinc (mg) % Water
Leaves 34 4.8 6 - 26 - 86.6

Spider flower, Cat's-whiskers Photos

Spider flower, Cat"s-whiskers Spider flower, Cat"s-whiskers Spider flower, Cat"s-whiskers Spider flower, Cat"s-whiskers Spider flower, Cat"s-whiskers

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