Analysis of Six Kenyan Landrace Populations of Spider-Flower

Abstract

The spiderflower. Gynandropsis gynandra (L) Briq. is a member of the Capparaceae family. Widely distributed in many parts of Africa and Asia (Holm el al., 1976). It is an important source of proteins, vitamins and mineral salts in East Africa (Purseglove. 1943, Imbamba et al., 1977). Medicinal uses of the plant have also been reported in many parts of the world (Purseglove, 1943; Watt and Breyer-Brandwick. 1962; Kokwaro, 1976). Spider flower combines efficient water utilization with high photosynthetic capacity at high temperatures which are the major factors that make it adaptable to areas with short periods of useful rainfall (lmbamba and Tieszen, 1977).