Sieruela Spiderflower (Cleome viscosa), also known as Tickweed or Asian Spiderflower, is a pantropical annual herb in the family Cleomaceae, valued as a leaf vegetable and medicinal plant across the tropics. While less well-known than its relative Cleome gynandra (African spider plant), this species is widely gathered as a potherb in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and has an extensive history of use in traditional medicine systems.
• The genus name Cleome was reclassified in part to Sieruela based on molecular phylogenetics, though the name Cleome viscosa remains widely used
• The species epithet "viscosa" means "sticky," referring to the glandular, viscid hairs covering the plant
• Possesses a strong, distinctive odor caused by volatile mustard-oil compounds
• Both leaves and seeds have documented medicinal properties
• The sticky hairs help deter insect herbivores
Cleome viscosa is native to the paleotropics, likely originating in Africa or tropical Asia.
• Now pantropical in distribution, found across Africa, southern Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Americas
• Occurs as a weed in cultivated fields, roadsides, waste places, and along riverbanks
• Found at elevations from sea level to approximately 1,500 meters
• Has been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for centuries
• First described by Linnaeus in 1759
• Now naturalized in tropical regions worldwide
• Particularly important as a vegetable in tribal communities of India and West Africa
• Now pantropical in distribution, found across Africa, southern Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Americas
• Occurs as a weed in cultivated fields, roadsides, waste places, and along riverbanks
• Found at elevations from sea level to approximately 1,500 meters
• Has been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for centuries
• First described by Linnaeus in 1759
• Now naturalized in tropical regions worldwide
• Particularly important as a vegetable in tribal communities of India and West Africa
An erect, branched, glandular-pubescent annual herb growing 30 to 100 cm tall.
Stems:
• Erect, green to yellowish-green, covered with sticky glandular hairs
• Often branched from the base
• Viscid to the touch, especially when young
Leaves:
• Palmate, 3 to 5 leaflets, each 2 to 7 cm long
• Leaflets obovate to elliptic, margins entire
• Covered with sticky hairs; strong odor when crushed
• Petioles 1 to 5 cm long with small stipular spines at the base
Flowers:
• Yellow, 1 to 2 cm in diameter
• Four yellow petals, six long, protruding stamens
• Born in terminal racemes that elongate as they mature
• Calyx and corolla deciduous
Fruit:
• Slender, cylindrical capsule (silique), 4 to 10 cm long
• Erect, sticky, on a slender stalk (gynophore)
• Contains numerous small, dark, irregularly shaped seeds
• Capsules turn brown and dehisce at maturity
Stems:
• Erect, green to yellowish-green, covered with sticky glandular hairs
• Often branched from the base
• Viscid to the touch, especially when young
Leaves:
• Palmate, 3 to 5 leaflets, each 2 to 7 cm long
• Leaflets obovate to elliptic, margins entire
• Covered with sticky hairs; strong odor when crushed
• Petioles 1 to 5 cm long with small stipular spines at the base
Flowers:
• Yellow, 1 to 2 cm in diameter
• Four yellow petals, six long, protruding stamens
• Born in terminal racemes that elongate as they mature
• Calyx and corolla deciduous
Fruit:
• Slender, cylindrical capsule (silique), 4 to 10 cm long
• Erect, sticky, on a slender stalk (gynophore)
• Contains numerous small, dark, irregularly shaped seeds
• Capsules turn brown and dehisce at maturity
Cleome viscosa occupies an important ecological niche as a pioneer species across the pantropical landscape.
Habitat:
• Native to the paleotropics, likely originating in tropical Africa or Asia
• Now pantropical — found across Africa, southern and Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Americas
• Occurs as a weed in cultivated fields, roadsides, waste places, and along riverbanks
• Found at elevations from sea level to approximately 1,500 meters
• Thrives in disturbed, well-drained soils in full sun with moderate rainfall (500 to 2,000 mm)
• USDA zones 9–12 (tropical annual, frost-sensitive)
Growth Habit:
• Erect, branched annual completing its life cycle in 60 to 120 days
• Pioneer species — one of the first plants to colonize bare, disturbed ground
• Full sun requirement; does not establish well in shaded areas
• Tolerates drought and nutrient-poor soils, making it successful in marginal habitats
Pollination:
• Bright yellow, slightly zygomorphic flowers are primarily bee-pollinated
• Also visited by butterflies, flies, and wasps seeking nectar and pollen
• Flowers open in the morning and close by late afternoon
• Self-compatible but cross-pollination produces more vigorous offspring
Ecological Role:
• Sticky glandular hairs trap small insect herbivores, providing a degree of self-defense and potentially capturing prey for predatory insects
• Volatile mustard-oil compounds (glucosinolates) deter mammalian herbivores and many insect pests
• Important nectar and pollen source for native bees in tropical agricultural landscapes during dry periods
• Seeds are consumed by granivorous birds and small mammals
• Used as a trap crop for insect pests in some traditional African and Indian farming systems
Invasive Status:
• Widely naturalized pantropically but generally not considered a noxious weed
• Rarely forms dense monocultures — typically occurs as scattered individuals in disturbed areas
• Easily controlled by cultivation and does not persist in established plant communities
Habitat:
• Native to the paleotropics, likely originating in tropical Africa or Asia
• Now pantropical — found across Africa, southern and Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Americas
• Occurs as a weed in cultivated fields, roadsides, waste places, and along riverbanks
• Found at elevations from sea level to approximately 1,500 meters
• Thrives in disturbed, well-drained soils in full sun with moderate rainfall (500 to 2,000 mm)
• USDA zones 9–12 (tropical annual, frost-sensitive)
Growth Habit:
• Erect, branched annual completing its life cycle in 60 to 120 days
• Pioneer species — one of the first plants to colonize bare, disturbed ground
• Full sun requirement; does not establish well in shaded areas
• Tolerates drought and nutrient-poor soils, making it successful in marginal habitats
Pollination:
• Bright yellow, slightly zygomorphic flowers are primarily bee-pollinated
• Also visited by butterflies, flies, and wasps seeking nectar and pollen
• Flowers open in the morning and close by late afternoon
• Self-compatible but cross-pollination produces more vigorous offspring
Ecological Role:
• Sticky glandular hairs trap small insect herbivores, providing a degree of self-defense and potentially capturing prey for predatory insects
• Volatile mustard-oil compounds (glucosinolates) deter mammalian herbivores and many insect pests
• Important nectar and pollen source for native bees in tropical agricultural landscapes during dry periods
• Seeds are consumed by granivorous birds and small mammals
• Used as a trap crop for insect pests in some traditional African and Indian farming systems
Invasive Status:
• Widely naturalized pantropically but generally not considered a noxious weed
• Rarely forms dense monocultures — typically occurs as scattered individuals in disturbed areas
• Easily controlled by cultivation and does not persist in established plant communities
Leaves and seeds have notable nutritional and phytochemical properties.
• Leaves contain moderate protein (approximately 3 to 4 g per 100 g fresh weight)
• Source of vitamins A and C
• Contains minerals including iron, calcium, and phosphorus
• Seeds are rich in oil (approximately 20 to 25%), containing linoleic and oleic fatty acids
• Contains glucosinolates and their breakdown products (mustard oil compounds)
• Rich in flavonoids, tannins, and other phenolic compounds
• Seeds contain approximately 18 to 22% protein
• Leaves contain moderate protein (approximately 3 to 4 g per 100 g fresh weight)
• Source of vitamins A and C
• Contains minerals including iron, calcium, and phosphorus
• Seeds are rich in oil (approximately 20 to 25%), containing linoleic and oleic fatty acids
• Contains glucosinolates and their breakdown products (mustard oil compounds)
• Rich in flavonoids, tannins, and other phenolic compounds
• Seeds contain approximately 18 to 22% protein
Propagated by seed directly sown in the field.
• Sow seeds broadcast in prepared beds during the warm season
• Seeds are small; press into soil surface or cover very lightly
• Germination in 7 to 14 days under warm, moist conditions
• Thin seedlings to 10 to 15 cm apart
• Tolerant of poor soils and drought conditions
• Prefers full sun and well-drained soil
• Minimal care required once established
• Harvest leaves 30 to 45 days after sowing
• Self-seeds aggressively, often becoming a persistent volunteer
• Requires no fertilizer under good field conditions
• Sow seeds broadcast in prepared beds during the warm season
• Seeds are small; press into soil surface or cover very lightly
• Germination in 7 to 14 days under warm, moist conditions
• Thin seedlings to 10 to 15 cm apart
• Tolerant of poor soils and drought conditions
• Prefers full sun and well-drained soil
• Minimal care required once established
• Harvest leaves 30 to 45 days after sowing
• Self-seeds aggressively, often becoming a persistent volunteer
• Requires no fertilizer under good field conditions
Culinary uses:
• Young leaves are cooked as a potherb in Africa, India, and Southeast Asia
• Used as a flavoring agent in sauces and stews due to its pungent, mustard-like flavor
• In India, leaves are added to dal (lentil dishes) and vegetable preparations
• Seeds are used as a condiment, with a flavor similar to mustard
• Seed oil is used for cooking in some tribal communities
• Leaves are sometimes dried for storage
• In some African cuisines, leaves are combined with other vegetables in complex sauces
• Young shoots are also cooked and eaten
• Young leaves are cooked as a potherb in Africa, India, and Southeast Asia
• Used as a flavoring agent in sauces and stews due to its pungent, mustard-like flavor
• In India, leaves are added to dal (lentil dishes) and vegetable preparations
• Seeds are used as a condiment, with a flavor similar to mustard
• Seed oil is used for cooking in some tribal communities
• Leaves are sometimes dried for storage
• In some African cuisines, leaves are combined with other vegetables in complex sauces
• Young shoots are also cooked and eaten
Anecdote
The sticky hairs on Sieruela spiderflower contain compounds that repel insect pests — farmers in India intercrop it with vegetables as a natural pest deterrent
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