Region: East tropical Africa: Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania.
Habitat: dry Acacia-Commiphora bushland or grassed bushland, shallow rocky soils; elevations from 300 - 1,300 metres; intolerant of frost, sunny position, well-drained soil; very drought toleranta
Use: food, leaves wilted and cooked, pounded, soaked in cold water and filtered, then the infusion used as a tenderizer when cooking other vegetables; flowers cooked; medicines;
Use: wood for making fire by friction.
BotanySpiny, deciduous shrub, rarely a small tree, from 1 - 7 metres tall; bole is swollen at the base.