Nara Plant

Acanthosicyos horridus )
nara (Topnaar); nara melon (English); butterpips
geographic distribution :
...Read More Acanthosicyos horridus grows in the coastal region of the Namib Desert in Namibia It grows where underground water is available, colonizing shifting sand dunes......

SOME TRUTH ABOUT NARA MELON :Fossil evidence indicates that the nara existed some 40 million years ago. The nara was probably utilized in the stone-age, and was probably the sole reason why the desert tribes survived in their habitat to modern day.
The shrub is heavily armed with 2-3cm long straight, sharp, paired spines growing on longitudinally grooved stems up to 1m long
Uses
The nuts of the fruit are the staple diet of indigenous people of Namibia.
The name nara melon is derived from the name of one of the areas where it is commonly found,More recently, the fruit has had economic importance in South Africa
In South Africa the seeds are eaten like nuts and taste similar to almonds; The seeds are highly nutritious, containing 57% oil and 31% protein....
Ecologically, nara is a keystone species, being the most important sand stabilising plant in the Namib desert.