SUPERFOOD - SPIDER PLANT / AFRICAN CABBAGE / CAT'S WHISKERS - Cleome Gynandra - 10 SEEDS
Cleome gynandra commonly known as the Spider Plant, African Cabbage, or Cat's Whiskers, is an annual Plant native to sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.
Its name comes from the unique multi-flowered heads with long-stemmed white flowers that resemble spider legs.
It is a nutrient-rich, climate-smart vegetable and medicinal herb, containing higher nutrient concentrations than commercial staples like cabbage or Swiss chard.
Exceptionally rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, Zinc Vitamins A and C, folic acid, and Vitamin E. Contains approximately 23.4% protein (dry weight).
It is a "power crop" for combating malnutrition. Unlike many commercial vegetables, C. gynandra uses the highly efficient C4 photosynthetic pathway, allowing it to thrive under high temperatures and intense light.
As of 2026, it is increasingly recognized as a "climate-smart" crop due to its resilience in drought-prone and marginal environments.
Solar Tracking: The leaves exhibit circadian movement, following the sun's direction throughout the day.
Sticky Defense: The plant has sticky, glandular hairs on its stems and leaves that act as a natural defense against pests.
Culinary Uses
Young leaves and growth tips are boiled and served like spinach, often with porridge (pap/sadza).
The leaves have a strong, peppery flavor similar to mustard greens.
Seeds are used as a substitute for mustard or cumin in curries and pickles.
Medicinal Uses
In traditional medicine, the entire plant is a "natural pharmacy":
Used to treat anemia, rheumatism, stomach aches, inflammation, constipation, headaches, arthritis, Indigestion & chest pain.
Sap from leaves is used as ear drops for earaches, and leaf poultices are applied to wounds, sores, and insect bites.
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Consumed by pregnant and lactating women to ease childbirth, reduce labor duration, and increase milk production.
The plant naturally repels aphids, thrips, and the diamondback moth, making it an excellent intercropping companion for cabbage and beans, reducing pest damage.