Dicerocaryum eriocarpum, or Large Devilthorn, is a Kalahari perennial herb known for its hairy, two-spined fruits that stick to animals for dispersal, earning its name and causing flat tires, but it's also called "Bushman's soap" because its leaves and roots contain saponins, creating a soapy lather for washing hands or cleaning, with edible leaves and potential uses for livestock, offering both nuisance and utility in the African bush.
Plant Characteristics
Growth: Prostrate, creeping, ground-dwelling perennial with hairy stems.
Flowers: Small, trumpet-shaped, pale to deep pink or mauve, with darker spots.
Leaves: Opposite, broadly ovate, with toothed edges.
Fruit/Seeds: Circular, hairy, with two sharp, central spines that embed in animal feet and tires.
