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Harpagophytum zeyheri

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Harpagophytum zeyheri

subsp. sublobatum by Bart Wursten.


The flowers by  Bart Wursten.


Wild plants by P.Z Ballings, imbabweflora.co.zw.

Author: Joseph Decaisne, 1865
Family:  PEDALIACEAE
Origin:  Angola, Botswana, Caprivi Strip, Mozambique, Namibia, Northern South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Soil:  Sand - Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness:  8 Centimetres
Height:  28 Centimetres
Flower:  Pink - Purple
Propagate:  Seeds
Names:  Grapple Plant, Devil’s Claw Root
Synonyms:  Uncaria zeyheri, Kuntze.
Harpagophytum zeyheri
subsp. schijffii, Ihlenf. & H.E.K.Hartmann.
Harpagophytum zeyheri
subsp. sublobatum, Ihlenf. & H.E.K.Hartmann.

This member of the Pedaliaceae family was given this name by Joseph Decaisne in 1865. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Caprivi Strip, Mozambique, Namibia, northern South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, growing in a well drained soil like sand with some water and lots of sun. The caudex can grow to eight centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to 28 centimetres in length. The flowers are pink to purple with a white centre.

The "hooks" on the seed capsule are not as significant as Harpagophytum procumbens'.

Latin: Harpagos is Greek for 'grappling hook', phytum Greek for 'plant'. The species: zeyheri is named in honour of Carl Zeyher, 1799 - 1858, a German naturalist.


The fruit by Farai Chikomba.