Cleome, or spider flower, is an annual known for its exceedingly long seedpods. They develop below the flowers as bloom progresses upward on the stalk to give the plants a spidery look, as do the projecting stamens of the flowers. Cleome flowers, with many opening at once, grow in airy racemes, or clusters of flowers, 15 to 20 cm in diameter. Cleome flowers come in white, pink, or lavender. They perch atop stems that grow up to 1 meter high. Cleome grows well in average soil located in full or nearly full sun. It is very drought-tolerant, though it will look and grow better if it is watered well. Space the spider flower plants 20 to 40 cm apart. Plant cleome for its height, to back up borders, in the centre of island beds, or in any spot where its dramatic quality stands out.

Cleome gynandra, commonly known as African Cabbage or Spider-wisp in English and Snotterbelletjie in Afrikaans is of economic importance as it is among the herbs that are used as indigenous edible vegetables in rural areas of southern Africa. Analyses have shown that it is rich in minerals, vitamins and amino acids. This is an erect, annual herb up to 250-600 mm tall, much branched and sometimes becoming woody with age. Only young fresh leaves are harvested for preparation as side dish. They are cooked in water with little salt and some tomatoes, and are eaten as spinach with porridge. They can also be mixed with other plants used as vegetables such as Bidens pilosa, an exotic but ubiquitous weed, and species in the Solanum nigrum complex or Amaranthus species. They are also harvested, dried in shade and stored for use during the winter months. The plants are sold at Thohoyandou and Sibasa towns by street vendors. Some people believe that plants referred to as “indigenous vegetables” (although some are exotics) are more nutritious and healthy than more usual vegetables. They also believe that these vegetables serve as food and medical remedy at the same time.