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Cleome - L.

Common Name African Spider Flower, Spiderwisp
Family Capparidaceae
USDA hardiness 8-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Open areas and uncultivated land to an elevation of 300 metres in Nepal[272].
Range Tropical and Sub-Tropical zones.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Cleome African Spider Flower, Spiderwisp


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cleome_gynandra_Blanco1.233-cropped.jpg
Cleome African Spider Flower, Spiderwisp
http://www.hear.org/starr/

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Cleome is a ANNUAL growing to 1.3 m (4ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf from May to October, in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Gynandropsis gynandra. (L.)Briq. G. pentaphylla. DC.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


A decoction of the root is used to treat fevers[243, 272]. The juice of the root is used to relieve scorpion stings[272]. The leaves, applied as a poultice, are used as a vesicant and rubefacient in the treatment of rheumatism[243, 272]. The juice of the leaves is a remedy for pain in the ear[243]. The seeds are anthelmintic and rubefacient[243, 272]. The whole plant is used in the treatment of scorpion stings and snake bites[243].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a light fertile soil in a warm dry sunny position with plenty of room to spread[1, 200]. A frost tender plant, it can be grown as a summer annual in Britain[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - surface sow or only lightly cover the seed in spring in a greenhouse[164]. The seed usually germinates in 5 - 14 days at 25°c[164]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in late spring. Day time temperatures below 20°c depress germination but a night time fall to 20° is necessary[164].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Shona cabbage, African cabbage, spiderwisp, cat's whiskers,chinsaga, stinkweed. Adikyakharan, African spider-flower, Akeyo, Akiya, Alot dek, Amazonde, Ansarisha, Apoy-apoyan, Arkapushpika, Bagra, Balaya, Bangara, Bastard-mustard, Bhubhuwan, Chamani, Churota, Ejjobyo, Ekaboi, Ekeyo, Ekiau, Enceng-enceng, Eshoje, Eyobyo, Gandhuli, Gasaya, Ghandhatu, Hulul, Isaga, Jirri, Kadughoo, Kanphodi, Karavela, Kathal, Kattkadugu, Ketota, Knasi, Kornia, Langsana, Lerotho, Lubanga, Lude, Luni, Mamang, Manabo, Mangmang trang, Marang charmani, Mgagani, Mgange, Momienh, Motitlavan, Mutaka, Narum byale soppu, Neivaylla, Nsila, Nyevhe, Nyovhi, Pak-sian, Paksienedit, Pandharitilavan, Parhar, Phak sian, Rothwe, Rudhe, Runi, Sada hurhuria, Satitalvani, Seta kata arak, Sienz, Sishungwa, Shungwa, Spiderwisp, Suntha, Surjavarta, Taivela, Taiwela, Tegeri, Thaivalaikeerai, Tim-Légué, Tsuna, Ulube, Ulude, Umzonde, Vainta, Valay keeray, Vaminta, Velai, Velakura.

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Oman, Yemen, China TROPICAL ASIA: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines AFRICA: Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte D‘Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa (Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North-West)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Cleome gynandra is considered an invasive weed in many places in the U.S. and in the Pacific.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cleome gynandraAfrican Spider Flower, SpiderwispAnnual1.3 8-12  LMNDM020
Cleome luteaYellow Spiderflower, Jones spiderflowerAnnual1.2 3-8  LMNDM211
Cleome monophylla Annual0.5 -  LMNDM21 
Cleome ornithopodioidesBird spiderflowerAnnual0.3 0-0  LMNDM10 
Cleome serrulataRocky Mountain BeeplantAnnual1.0 3-8  LMSNDM312
Cleome viscosaTickweed, Asian spiderflowerAnnual1.5 0-0  LMNDM22 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

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