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Alternate Name(s)

African Cabbage

Scientific Name

Cleome gynandra

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Brassicales

Family

Cleomaceae

Genus

Cleome

Status in Hawaii

Invasive

Native Region

Tropical Africa, Subtropical Africa

Cultural Significance

Spider plant (Cleome gynandra) is a traditional leafy vegetable widely consumed across Africa and is valued as a rich natural source of essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Amid increasing malnutrition, diet-related non-communicable diseases, and poverty on the continent, spider plant represents a viable and affordable healthy food crop to help address these challenges, particularly in resource-poor communities and during periods of food scarcity. It is an erect, strongly branched annual herb that can grow up to 150 cm tall, with a long taproot and few secondary roots, and is well adapted to a wide range of climatic and soil conditions due to its drought tolerance and resilience. Despite its nutritional importance and adaptability, the development of C. gynandra as a cultivated crop has been limited by low investment in research and development, leading to challenges such as poor seed quality, relatively low yields, and susceptibility to pests and diseases. Existing studies have therefore focused on reviewing its morphology, growing requirements, production practices, and nutritional utilization.

Sources

Ventosa-Febles, E. (2022). Cleome gynandra (wild spider flower). CABI Compendium, CABI Compendium. https://doi.org/10.1079/cabicompendium.119802 ‌ Mashamaite, C. V., Manyevere, A., & Chakauya, E. (2022). Cleome gynandra: A wonder climate-smart plant for nutritional security for millions in semi-arid areas. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.1003080 ‌

Collection Date

Fall 10-3-2025

Collection Number

BYUH_25_8

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