Brachystelma foetidum

Brachystelma foetidum

Family: Apocynaceae

Common names: Hottentots bread (Eng); Hotnotsbrood, Hottentotsbrood

It is a perennial herbaceous geophyte belonging to the Apocynaceae family, which grows up to 150 mm, depending on the climate and conditions of the area. The stem is 60 to 150 mm long, and grows from a flattened underground tuber which is 15 to 200 mm in size, but its size varies with the age of plant, older plants having larger tubers. The upper surface of the tuber is concave, whereas the under surface is convex. It has fibrous roots that are produced from the side and base of the tuber. The inner part of the tuber is made up of a white, potato-like tissue. Usually the plant is dormant in winter and resprouts with 1 or many new stems in spring. The leaves are simple, opposite, linear-lanceolate or elliptic, about 30 mm long and 10 mm broad, green, hairy, with wavy margins and narrowing to a short petiole. The flowers vary in size and 2–6 are produced together. They are bell-shaped with elongated lobes of purple-brown, greenish yellow near the base, with purple-brown spots.

Sowing instructions: Sow the seeds on a well-drained sowing medium, such as a mixture of sandy soil and compost. Cover the seeds with 1 cm of the seedling mixture and keep the tray moist for 2–3 weeks. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough, taking care not to damage the developing roots.

Locality: Clarens. Harvest: March 2025