Two varieties were found: 1) a variety with red stems and 2) a variety with green stems DESCRIPTIONAn erect perennial herb that may grow up to 60 cm high. Young seedlings usually have one stem and long elliptical leaves. Later on, the plants develops secondary leaves, these are small, linear and often divided into three lobes. The stems are more dominant at this stage because the leaves are so small.The flower spikes are 5-8 cm long, pink or purple, and they look like a sheep's tail (Eshilalodi = sheep's tail). Eshilalodi is often confused with other weed species that have similar flowers. Eshilalodi is slow to establish from seed but then continues growing into the dry season. Due to the drought resistance it is possible to find eshilalodi all year round. USEMany farmers have used Eshilalodi from time to another, but mainly when there are not enough of the other species. If Eshilalodi is used, it is often mixed with other species to improve the taste. Farmers do not like the taste of this species and also complain that it does not produce so many large leaves as other species.POTENTIAL FOR CULTIVATIONEshilalodi does not seem promising for cultivation. The taste is not popular with farmers and the small secondary leaves are difficult to pick.The black seed
is very small, 2400 seeds = 1 gram.
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