Drying and colour characteristics of Cleome gynandra L. (spider plant) leaves
Cleome gynandra L. is an erect herbaceous plant belonging to the Capparaceae family. Ot’s height range from 0.5 m to 1.5 m. The leaves are palmate in nature including 3-7 leaflets. Pigmentation on the stems ranges from green to pink and purple. Ot has a varying coloured flower from white to pink and lilac. The terminal inflorescences have exceptionally unmistakable little white blossoms, while its fruit comprises of little siliques (Van Wyk, 2000). Cleome is known for its nutritional and medicinal value. Ot contains 6 mg, 4.8 g, 5.2 g, 13 mg, 288 mg, and 111 μg of iron, protein, carbohydrate, ascorbic acid, calcium and phosphorus respectively. Ot is used to help mothers recuperate after giving birth and during breast-feeding; also for stomach ailments (Jansen van Rensburg et al., 2004).