Thaumatococcus daniellii (Katemfe)

Thaumatococcus daniellii

Family: Maranthaceae

Common names: Sweet Prayer Plant, Katemfe.

Native to Central Africa. It is a large flowering herb with rhizomatous rootstock, growing about 4 m in height. It is a natural source of thaumatin, a low-calorie sweetener and flavor modifier protein. The leaves are ovateelliptic, large, and papery. The flowers are purple which occur singly or in branched spikes. The fruits are covered in a fleshy red aril, trigonal in shape and dark red/brown when fully ripe. Each fruit contains three black, hard seeds which can be eaten raw or cooked. It can also be used as sweetener. The leaves, on the other hand, are used for wrapping foods and for boiling foods.

Sowing instructions: Sow seeds in summer in a well drained medium.

Locality: Ex Hort. Harvest: October 2024