Acanthosicyos horridus aka Butterpips

Acanthosicyos horridus is a low, spreading plant called naras or butterpips. It belongs to the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. Its native range runs from southwest Angola through Namibia into South Africa. It grows in the Namib Desert, often on sandy river beds. These sites may look dry but hold water below ground. The plant lives for many years and has wide-ranging roots.

Plants reach about 3.3 feet [1 metre] tall. PFAF gives a spread of about 6.6 feet [2 metres]. It also records a fast growth rate. Insects pollinate the flowers. The juicy fruit reaches about 0.23 feet [0.07 metres] long. Each fruit can weigh up to 900 grams. Its flesh has a sweet taste with some tartness. Both the fruit and seeds provide food.

Naras needs full sun and sandy soil that drains well. It can grow in poor soil and cope with salt. It prefers soil with a pH of 6–7. It tolerates a wider range of 5.5–7.5. Its preferred daytime temperatures fall between 15 and 30°C. PFAF lists USDA zones 9–11. In its home range, plants can survive years without rain. Access to water below ground helps explain this desert survival. This does not mean garden plants need no water.

Local people have used naras as food for at least 8,000 years. It remains a main food for some communities during part of the year. People eat the fruit raw, cook it, or preserve it. One method boils softened fruit to free the seeds. The thick pulp then dries into sheets for storage. People also sell the seeds in nearby towns. The plant remains wild rather than domesticated. Useful Tropical Plants reports failed attempts to establish it elsewhere.

Traditional medicine uses the bitter roots for several ailments. These include stomach pain, nausea, kidney problems, and chest pain. People also apply crushed root mixed with fat to wounds. They use seed oil on skin as a moisturizer. These records describe traditional use, not proof of medical benefit. PFAF also notes its use on shifting sand dunes. Neither PFAF nor Useful Tropical Plants reports known hazards. The supplied sources give no specific pest or disease details.