Hydnora africana Thunb.

It grows by living on the roots of other plants. It grows on Euphorbia species. The plant forms warty rhizomes just below the surface. These are 5 or 6 angled. The flowers are flesh coloured and arise from this underground stem. The flowers are 15 cm long and are rough and warty outside. The flowers have 3-4 erect fleshy lobes. They have a white spongy substance on their inner face. These produce a smell of rotting material. The round fleshy fruit matures underground.

Semi-arid vegetation which is associated with species of Euphorbia, especially E. mauretanica and E. Tirucalli.

The fruit can be baked in a fire and eaten. The flesh of the fruit can be sieved to remove the seeds, then whipped and flavoured. It can also be mixed with eggs and baked. It is used in vegetable dishes and in porridge.

Can be grown by seedlings.