Note: Omboga
yaasita means "the cattleherders' ombidi" and signify that this species
is growing at the remote cattle posts, where there are few other ombidi
species
DESCRIPTIONOkaulu komukwendje is a fern that does not bear leaves for a part of the year. With the onset of rains it produces single leaves that eventually cover the ground. Flowers are very small green spikes that are easily overlooked.USEOkaulu komukwendje is seldom used but may be used as famine food when few other plants are available. The leaves are used as spinach, but the species is not popular or well known. Few people mention okaulu komukwendje as an ombidi species and in some cases it was considered a poor man's food. The food situation should be very bad before people would use this species.POTENTIAL FOR CULTIVATIONIt is unlikely that okaulu komukwendje has any potential for cultivation. It is not a common species and it produces few leaves. The taste is not preferred by users.In Europe, okulu omukwendje is now a protected species. SIMILAR SPECIESOnzikakuliko = eediyodiyoAccording to the work group, this species looks like okaulo komukwendje when it is small but later on develops more leaves. The work group agreed that this species is not edible but the bulbs or roots are crushed into a pulp which is smeared on new clay pots so they do not crack while drying. Although Rodin (1985) does not list this species under particular uses, he mentions the species in the general text (ediodio, p.17) but he did not see the plant or collect specimens.
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