Common Name:

General Information

Cephalocroton mollis is a much-branched, perennial plant with stems that can become more or less woody and persist for several years. It usually grows up to 2 metres tall, but can sometimes be larger, with specimens up to 3.6 metres recorded[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for its edible seed, which is eaten locally as a wayside snack. The plant also has local medicinal uses.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Tanzania, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Botswana, S. Africa.

Habitat

Clay soil and black cotton soil in dried-out depressions; areas of impeded drainage and seasonal swamps in open, rough grassland and mixed open bushland; hot dry veld, usually on sandy soil; dry water courses; mopane woodland and scrub[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of drier areas in the tropics and subtropics, where it can be found at elevations from 335 - 1,066 metres[].
Requires a sunny position. The plant is found in the wild mainly in sandy soils[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw[]. The papery seedcoat is usually removed[]. The whitish kernel has a flavour somewhat like peanuts[]. The small sed is eaten as a wayside nibble[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the root is used to induce menstruation in young women whose first menstruation is considered to be overdue[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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