A survey and analysis of traditional medicinal plants as

Bothalia 19,1: 111-123(1989)
A survey and analysis of traditional medicinal plants as used by the
Zulu, Xhosa and Sotho
ANNE HUTCHINGS*
Keywords: ailment, medicinal plants, Sotho, Xhosa, Zulu
ABSTRACT
A coded list of 794 traditional Zulu medicinal plants is presented with a key to the ailments concerned. Xhosa and
Sotho usage of these plants is incorporated. Medicinal usage in the ptendophytes, gymnosperms. monocotyledons and
dicotyledons is tabulated. Ailments are categorized and discussed with an analysis of the plant families involved in their
treatment. Patterns of usage between related plants are observed and some potentially effective or dangerous characteristic
family constituents are briefly outlined.
UITTREKSEL
'n Gekodeerde lys van 794 tradisionele medisinale plante van die Zoeloes word aangebied met n sleutel tot die
betrokke ongesteldhede. Die gebruik van hierdie plante deur Xhosas en Sotho's word ook vermeld. Benutting van die
pteridofiete, gimnosperms. monokotiele en dikotiele is getabuleer. Ongesteldhede word gekategonseer en bespreek met n
ontleding van die plantfamilies wat by die behandeling betrokke is. Benuttingspatrone tussen verwante plante is waargeneem en sekere potensieel doeltreffende of gevaarlike stowwe wat kenmerkend in families voorkom. word kortliks aangetoon.
INTRODUCTION
The data on w hich this paper is based com e mainly
from a literature survey conducted by the author towards
the com pilation o f a Pharm acapoeia o f Zulu Folk M edi­
cin e, w hich w as initiated at the U niversity o f Zululand
by Dr A. H. Scott in 1986. X hosa and Sotho usage o f the
plants, w hich is clo sely allied , has been included. Data
from the author’s previous fieldw ork in Transkei and
lim ited personal interview s with Zulu and X hosa tradi­
tional healers is included and further data have been
abstracted from a list o f the B otanical R esearch Insti­
tute’s holdings o f m edicinal plants. The main sources o f
inform ation on usage have been 1, A . T. Bryant, w hose
work on Zulu m edicine w as originally published in the
Annals o f the Natal Museum in 1909 but later destroyed
by fire and republished in 1966 (Bryant 1966); 2 , J.
G erstner, w ho published his work on Zulu plant nam es
and usage betw een 1938 and 1941 (G erstner 1938, 1939,
1941); and 3, M aim H ulm e, w ho included Zulu usage
and also illustrated her book (H ulm e 1954). Watt &
B reyer-Brandwijk (1 9 6 2 ) w as also consulted and addi­
tional information on Sotho usage is from A. Jacot Guillarmod (Jacot Guillarm od 1971).
It w ould be o f great interest to com pare the number o f
plant sp ecies used with the number o f plant species
known to be available, but research in this field , em brac­
ing both eco lo g ica l and trading aspects, is beyond the
scope o f this paper. C om prehensive research into the
* Zulu Folk Medicine Research. Department of Biochemistry. Univer­
sity of Zululand. Private Bag X 1001. Kwadlangezw a 3886.
MS received: 1988.07.15.
toxicity and active chem ical principles in the plants used
is also beyond the scope o f the paper.
DISCUSSION OF LIST OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
A total number o f 794 plant sp ecies with specific
usage know n has been recorded. TTiese are grouped as
pteridopytes, gym nosperm s. m onocotyledons and d ico ­
tyledons. T hey are arranged in alphabetic order accord­
ing to fam ily and within the fam ily alphabetically
according to genus and species. A ll plant nam es used in
the literature surveyed have been recorded and the nam es
listed have been updated according to G ibbs R ussell et
al. (1 9 8 5 , 1987). Authors' nam es have been omitted
from the coded list to save space so that uses could be
tabulated and sim ilarities in the usage o f related species
could be easily seen.
Plants o f the sam e genus w hich could not be identified
to sp ecies level have been counted as one sp ecies unless,
as in the case o f the Plectranthus spp. illustrated by
Hulme (1 9 5 4 ), it is quite evident that different species
are being referred to.
The species listed have been coded according to a il­
ment. T hese ailm ents have been very broadly ca teg o ­
rized and determ ined largely by sym ptom , as is tradi­
tional treatment. O verlaps occur, as in the case o f
bladder and urethral disorders, w hich have been classed
by the author as a com m on renal ailm ent but could be
caused or affected by procreation-related ailm ents such
as sterility and venereal disease.
The presence o f a known or suspected toxic elem ent
recorded in the literature surveyed is indicated by an
asterisk in the coded list at the end o f this article. The
toxic elem ent may not alw ays be know n in the part o f the
plant used.
112
Bothalia 19,1 (1989)
Key to ailments:
A — Sexual
B — Sterility
C — Venereal
D — Gynaecological
E — Newly bom infants
F — Gastro-intestinal
G — Renal
H — Tonic
1 — Growths
J — Respiratory
K — Febrile
L — Headaches
M — Heart
N — Nervous
O — Pain producing
P — Leprosy
Q — Dental
R — Sorcery
S — Snake-bite
T — Skin
U — Sprains, fractures
V — Eyes, ears and nose
W — Insecticidal
X — Charm
Y — Animal
a — Includes use as anthel­
mintic
c — Includes enema admin­
istration
d — Includes use against
diarrhoea
e — Includes use as an
emetic
i — Given to infants or
children
p — Taken regularly during
pregnancy
r — Rubbed into scarifica­
tions
s — Snuffed or inhaled
* — Toxic
In this analysis of ailments and methods of treatment,
families, of which three or more species are used for the
same ailment, are highlighted.
Families marked with an asterisk are those of which
one or more species used for the specific ailment have
been recorded as toxic.
Procreation-related ailments (A-E in key to ailments
and coded list of plants)
A. Sexual remedies include aphrodisiacs and a large
number of love charm emetics, which are normally taken
by men. Some medicines are administered as charms to
secure the fidelity of the beloved or to harm a rival in
cases of suspected infidelity or to protect the user against
the effects of such medicine.
Of the 109 species recorded as sexual remedies, three
or more occur in the following 12 families, accounting
for 79:
Orchidaceae
Fabaceae*
Liliaceae*
Rubiaceae
Euphorbiaceae*
Apiaceae
Acanthaceae
4
4
4
4
3
3
3 Liliaceae*
3 Amaryllidaceae
3 Rubiaceae
C. Venereal diseases (syp h ilis and gonorrhoea) may be
treated with orally adm inistered d ecoction s or, in cases
o f discharge, m edicine may be inserted directly into the
penis or vagina in liquid form or as a pill o f pounded
lea v es, and charred powdered leaves or a poultice may
be applied directly to venereal sores (Bryant 1966).
O f the 34 sp ecies recorded as venereal disease rem e­
d ies, three or more occur in the fo llo w in g five fam ilies,
accounting for 19:
6 Liliaceae*
4 Asteraceae
3 Ranunculaceae*
3 Fabaceae*
3 Solanaceae*
D . Gynaecological rem edies include m edicines taken
regularly during pregnancy to ensure a safe delivery and
a healthy child. T hese may be mixtures o f various ingre­
dients, usually roots (Gerstner 1941) or may be made
from the roots o f a single plant, soaked in water, w hich
is drunk daily by the expectant mother. A lso included are
m edicines adm inistered during childbirth, or for painful
or delayed m enstruation, to stimulate breast d ev el­
opm ent or the flow o f m ilk, or to procure abortions.
ANALYSIS
13
13
11
7
5
4
4
7 Orchidaceae
4 Iridaceae*
5 Fabaceae
Gentianaceae
Scrophulariaceae
Acanthaceae
Asteraceae*
Amaryllidaceae*
Caryophyllaceae
O f the 78 sp ecies recorded, three or more occur in the
fo llo w in g six fam ilies, accounting for 37:
12 Liliaceae*
10 Asteraceae*
4 Amaryllidaceae*
4 Ebenaceae*
4 Scrophulariaceae
3 Euphorbiaceae*
O f the 78 sp ecies used for gyn aecological purposes,
38 are recorded as taken regularly during pregnancy,
three or more o f w hich occur in the fo llow in g three fam i­
lie s, accounting for 16:
8 Liliaceae*
5 Asteraceae*
3 Amaryllidaceae*
E. Newly-born infants are som etim es given purification
purges at birth and later at w eaning; these may be adm in­
istered orally or as an enem a. M edicines may be applied
to the navel or fontanel at birth and others may be ap­
plied to the m other's breast at w eaning. Som etim es
new ly bom infants are held in the sm oke o f a burning
plant in a protective or purification ritual.
O f the 18 sp ecies recorded, seven occur in L iliaceae.
Stress-related ailments (L -O in key and coded list o f
plants)
(Note— the term stress-related is used here to refer to
ailm ents that are caused by p sych ological stress, al­
though there may be other c a u se s .)
95 of the 109 species are used as love charm emetics.
B. Sterility remedies include cures for both women and
men. Barrenness in women is usually treated with a pur­
gative or an enema or medicine may be directly intro­
duced into the womb. Sterility and impotence in men is
treated with orally taken infusions, or powdered medi­
cines may be blown through the urethra (Bryant 1966).
Also included are medicines taken, usually orally, by a
couple desiring a particular gender in a child, or medi­
cines taken by both parents after a miscarriage.
Of the 45 species recorded as sterility remedies, three
or more occur in the following six families, accounting
for 25:
L. Headaches are considered by traditional healers to be
caused by em otional or mental disturbance. They are
often treated by snuffed or inhaled m edicines and o cca ­
sionally leaves are wrapped around the head.
O f the 44 sp ecies recorded, three or more com e from
the fo llo w in g five fam ilies, acountm g for 22:
6 Euphorbiaceae*
6 Asteraceae*
4 Ranunculaceae*
3 Fabaceae*
3 Asclepiadaceae*
M. Cardiac ailm ents include high blood pressure, chesi
pain not associated with respiratory com plaints and bad
dreams believed to be caused by heart problem s (Bryant
Bothalia 19,1 (1989)
113
1966). Treatment may be administered in the form o f an
em etic or enem a.
O f the 21 species recorded, three occur in the fo llo w ­
ing tw o fam ilies, accounting for six:
3 Liliaceae*
3 Fabaceae*
N . Nerxvus or p sych ological ailm ents include hysteria,
mental disturbance, nightm ares, states o f believed b e­
w itchm ent, states o f im purification after the death o f a
kraal m em ber and states o f trance w hich need to be in­
duced in the diviner to enable her to fulfil her function.
E m etics and snuffed or inhaled m edicines are frequently
used for these purposes.
O f the 133 sp ecies recorded for nervous ailm ents,
three or more com e from the follow in g 12 fam ilies,
accounting for 81:
16 Fabaceae*
Asteraceae*
Liliaceae*
Rubiaceae
Orchidaceae
Asclepiadaceae*
5
4
4
3
3
3
Indaceae*
Euphorbiaceae*
Apiaceae
Hypoxidaceae*
Sapindaceae
Solanaceae*
O. Pain producing ailm ents include pain in the joints or
back, rheumatism and also paralysis. A lthough these
may ob viou sly not alw ays have a p sych ological cau se,
there is a traditional b elief that the joints are the most
vulnerable area to the entrance o f evil spirits (N gubane
1977) and conversion disorders often do take the form o f
pain in the join ts and som etim es paralysis. Dried p o w ­
dered m edicine is frequently rubbed into freshly cut
scarifications to treat these conditions and other form s o f
administration such as enem as and em etics are also used.
O f the 4 6 sp ecies recorded, three or more com e from
the follow in g fam ilies, accounting for 13:
7 Liliaceae*
3 Fabaceae*
3 Meliaceae*
Miscellaneous ailments (F -K and Q -Y in key and
coded list o f plants)
F. Gastro-intestinal ailm ents include:
1. stom ach ache and constipation, w hich are treated
with enem as or orally administered purges;
2, intestinal w orm s w hich are treated with orally
adm inistered anthelm intics or enem as;
3, diarrhoea and dysentery w hich are treated with an
orally adm inistered m edicine, frequently follow ed by an
enem a o f the sam e m edicine;
4 . nausea or the accum ulation o f bile is treated with an
em etic;
5 , indigestion, for w hich sm all p ieces o f root, bark or
leaves may be chew ed;
6 . haemorrhoids and a condition which Bryant (1 9 6 6 )
and Ngubane (1 9 7 7 ) refer to as gangrenous rectitis,
w hich is frequently treated with an enem a, or a locally
applied lotion or powder and may also be treated with an
orally taken decoction.
O f the 318 sp ecies recorded for gastro-intestinal co m ­
plaints, three or more occur in the fo llow in g 35 fam ilies,
accounting for 252:
40
27
19
12
13
11
8
7
7
7
7
6
6
5
5
5
5
Asteraceae*
Liliaceae*
Fabaceae*
Rubiaceae
Euphorbiaceae*
Indaceae*
Lamiaceae
Crassulaceae*
Asclepiadaceae*
Convolvulaceae
Cucurbitaceae*
Ebenaceae*
Celastraceae*
Apiaceae
Myrsinaceae*
Verbenaceae
Solanaceae*
Poaceae
Cyperaceae
Amary llidaceae*
Polygonaceae
Amaranthaceae
Mesembryanthemaceae
Rosaceae
Geraniaceae
Meliaceae*
Anacardiaceae*
Scrophulariaceae
Aspidiaceae*
Ranunculaceae
Rutaceae
Sapindaceae*
Gentianaceae
Apocynaceae*
O f the 318 sp ecies recorded as gastro-intestinal rem ­
ed ies 4 6 are recorded as anthelm intics and 54 as diar­
rhoea and dysentery rem edies. T hese sp ecies may also
be used for other gastro-intestinal purposes.
O f the 4 6 recorded anthelm intics, three or more occur
in the fo llo w in g four fam ilies, accounting for 22:
8 Asteraceae*
7 Liliaceae*
4 Myrsinaceae*
3 Aspidiaceae*
O f the 54 recorded diarrhoea and dysentery rem edies,
three or more occur in the fo llo w in g six fam ilies,
accounting for 30:
10 Fabaceae*
7 Iridaceae*
4 Geraniaceae
3 Sapindaceae*
3 Rubiaceae
3 Asteraceae
G. Renal ailm ents include kidney and urinary tract c o m ­
plaints. M edicines may be orally adm inistered, so m e­
tim es fo llo w ed by an enem a o f the sam e m edicine after
three days o f treatment, or m edicines may be rubbed into
incisions cut in the loins or inserted directly into the
urethra or a poultice may be applied externally.
O f the 44 sp ecies recorded for renal ailm ents, three or
more are found in the fo llow in g five fam ilies, accounting
for 19:
5 Amary llidaceae*
5 Asteraceae*
3 Liliaceae*
3 Apocynaceae*
3 Euphorbiaceae*
H. Debit it}' ailm ents include general w ea k n ess, a low
resistance to in fection s, blood impurities and a lack o f
appetite. They are treated with orally taken ton ics,
em etics or enem as.
O f the 58 sp ecies recorded for d eb ility, three or more
com e from the follow in g six fam ilies, accounting for 24:
8 Asteraceae
4 Euphorbiaceae*
3 Fabaceae
3 Apocynaceae*
3 Penplocaceae
3 Rubiaceae
I. Swellings or growths include sw ollen glan d s, scrofu­
lous and dropsical sw ellin g s and external or internal
sw ellin g s or lum ps w hich may or may not be cancerous.
M ed icin es may be adm inistered orally, som etim es fo l­
low ed by a poultice made from the sam e ingredients, or
pow dered m ed icin es may be rubbed into incisions cut
around the sw ellin g .
O f the 31 sp ecies used to treat sw ellin g s, three or more
com e from the fo llo w in g tw o fam ilies, accounting for
eight:
5 Euphorbiaceae*
3 Asteraceae*
114
Bothalia 19,1 (1989)
J. Respiratory ailm ents include ch est pain from pleurisy
or bronchitis, co u g h s, sore throats and asthma or catarrh.
T hey are frequently treated w ith em etics, w hich perform
an expectorant fu n ction , or m ed icin es may be ch ew ed ,
drunk, sn u ffed , inhaled or rubbed into in cision s on the
chest.
O f the 144 sp ecies recorded for respiratory ailm ents,
three or more com e from the fo llo w in g 14 fam ilies, ac­
counting for 92:
27
12
8
6
5
5
5
Asteraceae*
Fabaceae*
Euphorbiaceae*
Liliaceae*
Amaryllidaceae*
Apiaceae*
Lamiaceae
Verbenaceae
Rubiaceae
Phytolaccaceae*
Brassicaceae
Capparaceae*
Ebenaceae*
Celastraceae*
K. Febrile com plaints include influenza, cold s and
fevers, including malaria and rheumatic fever. T hey are
frequently treated w ith em etics. Snuffed or inhaled
m ed icin es m ay also be adm inistered and the patient may
be steam ed or bathed to reduce the fever.
O f the 123 sp ecies in v o lv ed , three or more com e from
the fo llo w in g 13 fa m ilies, accounting for 82:
21 Asteraceae*
12 Fabaceae
10 Lamiaceae
6 Liliaceae*
6 Euphorbiaceae*
5 Rubiaceae
4 Amaryllidaceae*
3
3
3
3
3
3
Iridaceae*
Rutaceae
Amaranthaceae
Apiaceae
Scrophulariaceae
Lobeliaceae
P. Leprosy is usually now referred by traditional healers
to the hospitals. O nly tw o rem edies have been recorded
and they are from M elianthaceae and P assifloraceae.
Q . Toothache and sore gum s are treated with lotions or
pow ders rubbed on to the painful area.
O f the 30 sp ecies recorded for toothache, three or
more are from the fo llo w in g three fa m ilies, accounting
for 12:
5 Solanaceae*
4 Asteraceae*
3 Euphorbiaceae’
R. Sorcery is b eliev ed to be the cause o f many illn esses
and certain plants are b eliev ed to be used by sorcerers to
bring about e v il. T he sam e plants may be taken as an
antidote to the d isease thus brought about, usually in the
form o f an em etic.
O f the 16 sp ecies recorded as sorcerer's m ed icin es,
three each are from the fo llo w in g tw o fa m ilies, account­
ing for six:
3 Euphorbiaceae*
Asteraceae*
Fabaceae*
Solanaceae*
Euphorbiaceae*
Liliaceae*
4
4
4
3
3
Amaryllidaceae*
Thymelaeaceae
Acanthaceae
Verbenaceae
Lamiaceae
U . Fractures, sprains and bruises may be treated with
lo tio n s, or pow der may be rubbed into scarifications as
an anti-inflam m ant around the site o f the dam age.
O f the 4 0 sp ecies recorded, three or more com e from
the fo llo w in g three fam ilies, accounting for 12:
6 Asteraceae*
3 Euphorbiaceae*
3 Crassulaceae*
V . Ear, eye and nose com plaints are treated with lotions
or sap directly sq u eezed from the plants.
O f the 39 sp ecies recorded, three or more com e from
the fo llo w in g four fa m ilies, accounting for 19:
7 Liliaceae*
6 Asteraceae
3 Crassulaceae*
3 Rosaceae
W. Insecticides and piscicides include m edicines applied
to rid the body o f lice and fleas and those used to repel or
kill flies and those used to stun fish so that they may be
caught.
O f the 21 sp ecies recorded, three or more com e from
the fo llo w in g tw o fa m ilies, accounting for 12:
9 Fabaceae*
3 Asteraceae
X . Charms m ay be applied to placate ev il spirits, for
protection against en em ies and storm s, for good luck or
to m ake the user liked. T hey may be bathed w ith, w orn,
sprinkled or burnt in the hom e or field s or cultivated as
protective plants.
O f the 182 sp ecies recorded, three or more com e from
the fo llo w in g 14 fa m ilies, accounting for 126:
27 Liliaceae*
18 Orchidaceae
15 Asclepiadaceae*
11 Asteraceae*
9 Amaryllidaceae*
9 Crassulaceae*
8 Iridaceae*
7
7
6
3
3
3
Fabaceae*
Euphorbiaceae*
Apiaceae
Rhamnaceae
Scrophulariaceae
Rubiaceae
Y . Animals may be giv en m edicines to prevent or cure
d isease. A lso included are m edicines applied as theft
deterrents, either in the field or on e g g s or drying animal
skins.
3 Apiaceae*
S. Snake bite rem edies may be taken or locally applied,
the sam e m edicine often being adm inistered at the sam e
tim e in both form s. D ried ground sn ak es’ heads are
som etim es an ingredient in the m edicine.
O f the 4 3 sp ecies recorded, three or more com e from
the fo llo w in g six fa m ilies, accounting for 20:
4 Thymelaeaceae*
4 Asteraceae*
3 Phytolaccaceae*
to reduce the temperature in fevers. A lso included are
hair restorers.
O f the 100 sp ecies recorded, three or more com e from
the fo llo w in g 10 fa m ilies, accounting for 64:
3 Fabaceae*
3 Euphorbiaceae*
3 Apocynaceae*
T . Skin com plaints include sores, w ounds, bum s and
rashes. T h ese com plaints may be treated by applied
lotion s, poultices or w ash es. W ashes may also be given
O f the 102 sp ecies used to treat or deter anim als, three
or m ore com e from the fo llo w in g 11 fa m ilies, account­
ing for 53:
11 Asteraceae*
9 Fabaceae*
7 Liliaceae*
6 Asclepiadaceae*
5 Lamiaceae
3
3
3
3
3
Amaryllidaceae*
Dioscoreaceae*
Urticaceae
Geraniaceae
Vitaceae*
It may be observed (Table 1) that am ong the m ed­
icinally used plants recorded, a higher proportion o f
m on ocotyled on s are used as externally applied charms
and for procreation-related purposes and that there is a
sligh tly w ider range o f m edicinal usage am ong the d ico ­
tyled on s. Further analysis reveals that am ong the m ono-
Bothalia 19,1 (1989)
115
cotyled on s 43 % o f the sp ecies are used for procreationrelated ailm ents, 37 % as externally applied charms and
26 % for p ossib ly stress-related ailm ents w hereas am ong
the d icotyled on s 27 % are used for procreation-related
ailm en ts, 26 % for possib ly stress-related ailm ents and
19 % as externally applied charm s. In both groups the
greatest proportion o f plants used for other ailm ents are
used for gastro-intestinal purposes (32 % o f m on o co ty le­
dons and 4 2 % o f d icotyled on s) and respiratory ailm ents
(11 % o f m onocotyled on s and 20 % o f d icotyled on s).
T his is reflected in T ables 2 & 3.
DISCUSSION
Perception o f aetiology also determ ines treatment.
A ccording to Bryant (1 9 6 6 ) and N gubane (1 9 7 7 ), most
com m on ailm ents are b elieved to be caused by an e x ce ss
o f bile or g a ll, w hich needs to be rem oved. D iseases
b elieved to be caused by ev il spirits or pollution also
require catharsis. T his explains the w ide use o f em etics,
enem as and purgatives. A total o f 238 o f the plants re­
corded for this study, i.e . 30 %, are used as em etics—
w here use as an em etic has been recorded with no
sp ecific ailm ent, the plant has been considered to be used
for gastro-intestinal purposes. E m etics are not normally
given to young children but enem as are and are co n sid ­
ered by m edical staff to be the cause o f som e o f the
poison in g cases and liver dam age seen in hospitals
(S avage & H utchings 1987). Forms o f administration are
not alw ays recorded in the sources consulted and more
plants are probably used for enem as than appear on the
list. S p ecies indicated as being used for children are
frequently adm inistered in this w ay. Patterns o f usage
betw een c lo se ly related sp ecies, such as the use o f pteridophytes as anthelm intics, O rchidaceae as love charm
em etics, R anunculaceae sp ecies for headaches, T hym elaeaceae sp ecies for skin com plaints and snake bite or
L am iaceae for febrile conditions and various A sclepiad a­
ceae for nervous com plaints, are discernible in the list.
Such patterns o f usage could o b v iou sly indicate that
related plants share chem ical constituents, w hich w ould
in turn account for their possib le effectiv en ess and/or
toxicity. Som e characteristic fam ily constituents with
som e o f their likely effects and potential dangers are
given b elow .
W idespread steroidal saponins, cardiac g ly co sid es in
som e o f the L iliaceae and toxic alkaloids in the Amaryllidaceae are am ong the potentially dangerous consituents
found in m onocotyled on ou s plants, o f w hich so many
are used in the procreation-related ailm ents. Steroidal
saponins may affect the sex horm ones and are relatively
harm less w hen taken by mouth but found highly toxic if
they enter the blood stream (Trease & Evans 1983). This
may happen if there is any dam age to the m ucous lining
o f the gastro-intestinal tract when enem as are adm inis­
tered as, according to N gubane (1 9 7 7 ), the dosage is
controlled to enable the patient to retain the m edicine for
a tim e. T his custom w ould also make enem as made with
other toxic material more dangerous than em etics as ab­
sorption o f material through the rectum is easier than
through the sm all intestine. Steroid or triterpenoid sapo­
nins (w hich are com m on in the d icotyled on s) are often
found in the plants used as em etics and have the property
o f foam ing and also frequently irritate the m ucosa. T his
may account for their expectorant and d econ gestive
action w hen used for chest ailm ents. A nti-m icrobial, c y ­
tostatic and anti-inflam m atory activity have been d em on ­
strated in saponins (L ow er 1985).
C ardiotonics, w hich can have a diuretic action by in­
creasing the renal b lo o d flo w , may be found in m em ­
bers o f various other fam ilies apart from L iliaceae and
these include A pocynaceae and A sclep iad aceae. R ubia­
ceae and Solanaceae (see O liver-B ever 1986). The d i­
uretic action w ould be helpful in cases o f gonorrhoea and
also in various kidney or heart d iseases w hich cause
dropsical sw ellin g s. Various species o f the ab ove-m en ­
tioned fam ilies are used for venereal d isea ses, renal c o m ­
plaints, dropsical sw ellin gs or heart com plaints and may
be found effectiv e.
The toxic A m aryllidaceae alkaloids produce gastro­
intestinal upset (Jaspherson-Schib 1970). H ighly toxic
sp ecies are found in other alkaloid-containing fam ilies
such as A p ocyn aceae, Solanaceae and Euphorbiaceae.
T hese sp ecies also o w e their effectiv en ess as purges and
their potentially dangerous properties to extrem e gastric
irritation.
A ntipyretic, protozoicidal and local anaesthetic pro­
perties are to be found in many o f the W est African
sp ecies o f the alkaloid-rich Rubiaceae fam ily (O liverB ever 1986) and m em bers o f the fam ily locally used for
febrile ailm ents w ould probably merit further investiga­
tion. A lkaloids have a marked action on the central ner­
vous system and can act as depressants (e .g . the sedative
reserpine from Rauvolfia vomitoria A fz e l.) or stim ulants
(e .g . the Strychnos alkaloids) w hich may account for the
use o f various species from fam ilies such as Euphor­
biaceae and Solanaceae for nervous com plaints.
Tannin has frequently been observed in the parts o f the
plant used in the treatment o f dysentery and diarrhoea or
for respiratory ailm ents and is a characteristic constituent
o f many o f the fam ilies thus used (e .g . R osaceae.
F abaceae, G eraniaceae). It is likely to be e ffectiv e on
account o f its protein-precipitating properties w h ich , in
sm all d o ses, w ould form a protective, im perm eable layer
and also tend to prevent the developm ent o f bacteria—
large d oses w ould irritate the m ucosa (Fluck 1976).
The presence o f volatile o ils with possible carm inative
or antispasm odic activity is likely to account for the use
o f the clo sely related Lam iaceae and V erbenaceae and
other aromatic fam ilies for co u g h s, co ld s, influenza and
d igestive disorders.
The snake bite cures are interesting. M any are known
to be either toxic or else clo sely related to know n toxic
sp ecies, notably from fam ilies where cardioactive toxins
(M elianthaceae, L oganiaceae, A pocynaceae and A sc le ­
piadaceae) or alkaloids (P hytolaccaceae, Solanaceae and
Asteraceae) are known or else from fam ilies w here c y to ­
toxic activity has been observed (Euphorbiaceae and
T hym elaeaceae).
M ore fieldw ork w ill undoubtedly reveal new usage o f
plants as the practice o f herbal m edicine is still very
much alive. Patterns ob viou sly exist in the usage o f
plants, but the perception thereof is influenced by the
way in w hich the data are analysed and on the cultural
116
Bothalia 19,1 (1989)
a> r- r- so
f o fN fN
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1.— Medicinal usage in pteridophytes, gymnosperms, m onocotyledons and dicotyledons
o
^r
r-
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Bothalia 19.1 (1989)
117
perceptions of the researcher. Nevertheless, plant usage
is patterned, and these patterns deserve further investiga­
tion.
U - S p r a in s , f r a c t u r e s
d - In clu de s use a g a i n s t d ia r r ho ea
V - Eyes, e a r s and nose
e - In cl ud e s use as an e i e t i c
M - Insecticidal
l - 6iven to i n f a n t s or c h il d r e n
I - Char»
p - Taken r e g u l a r l y during pregnancy
Y - Animal
r - Rubbed i n t o s c a r i f i c a t i o n s
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
s - Snuffed or inhal ed
a - In clu de s use as a n t h e l n n t i c
The research for this study was partly undertaken
through Zulu Folk Medicine Research, which is headed
by Dr A. H. Scott and funded by the De Beers Chair­
man’s Fund Educational Trust, who are thanked for their
support. Mrs E. Brink (Grahamstown Botanical Unit) is
thanked for her help in updating the nomenclature and Dr
G. E. Gibbs Russell for making available the list of the
Botanical Research Institute holdings of medicinal
plants. Prof. S. E. Terblanche of the Department of Bio­
chemistry, University of Zululand and Dr L. M.
Gerritsma of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemis­
try, University of Potchefstroom, are both thanked for
their helpful advice.
c - In clu de s eneaa a d m i n i st r a t io n
* - Toxic
A B C D E F 6 H I J K L H N 0 P Q R S T U V H I Y
PTERIDOPHYTA
ADIANTACEAE
KLs
Ad iantui c a p i i l u s - v e n e n s
J
Chei1anthes h i r t a
J K
C he ila nt h es v i r i d i s
ASPIDIACEAE
D r y o p t e n s a th a a a n ti c a *
D r yo p te r is i n a e q u a l is
P o l y s t i c h u i sp.
CYATHEACEAE
Cythea dregei
REFERENCES
DENNSTAEDTIACEAE
BRYANT, A. T. 1966. Zulu medicine and medicine-men. Struik. Cape
Town (originally published in 1909 in the Annals o f the Natal
Museum).
EQUISETACEAE
FLÚCK. H. 1976. Medicinal plants. Rowson& Foulsham. London.
Equisetui raaosissiaua*
GERSTNER. J. 1938. A preliminary checklist of Zulu names of plants
with short notes. Bantu Studies 12: 215-236; 321-342.
GERSTNER. J. 1939. A preliminary checklist of Zulu names of plants
with short notes. Bantu Studies 13: 49-64: 131-149: 307-326.
6YHN0SPERHAE
GERSTNER. J. 1941. A preliminary checklist of Zulu names of plants
with short notes. Bantu Studies 15: 277-301; 369-383.
GIBBS RUSSELL. G. E . REID. C . VAN ROOY. J & SMOOK. L
1985. List of species of southern African plants. Edn 2. Part 1.
Memoirs o f the Botanical Suney o f S<mth Africa No. 51.
GIBBS-RUSSELL. G. E.. WELMAN. W. G .. RETIEF. E..
IMMELMAN. K . GERMISHUIZEN. G.. PIENAAR. B J..
VAN WYK. M. & NICHOLAS. A. 1987. List of species of
southern African plants. Edn 2. Part 2. Memoirs o f the Botanical
Suney o f South Africa No. 56.
HULME. M. M. 1954. Wild flowers o f Natal. Shuter & Shooter.
Pietermaritzburg.
JACOT GUILLARMOD, A. 1971 Flora o f Lesotho. Cramer. Lehre.
JASPERSEN-SCHIB. R 1970. Toxische Amary llidaceen. Pharmaceutica Acta Helvetica 45: 424—433.
P t e n d i u i aq ui li nu a*
Fe
Ls
2AfllACEAE
En ce ph ala rto s a l t e n s t e i n n ' A e
En ce ph ala rto s v i l l o s u s *
AN6I0SPERNAE - «OKOCOTYLEDONAE
ABARYLLIDACEAE
Aaaocharis co ran ic a*
A p o d o h n o n sp.
Fc
Boophane d i s t i c h a *
6
Bru ns vigia spp.*
6
Fi&c
C l lv i a a i m a t a *
B
&
B
6c
Jec Lee N Oec
J K
C l l v i a sp.
T
Ae
Crmua b u lb is p e ra u a
NGUBANE, H. 1977. Body and mind in Zulu medicine. Academic
Press, London.
Crinua aoorei
Crinua a a co i a n i;
Crinua sp.
Cy rt ant hus b r e v i f l o r u s
Ae
Cyrt ant hu s c o n t r a c t u s
Cyrt ant hu s a a c k e n n
SAVAGE. A & HUTCHINGS. A 1987 Poisoned by herbs. British
Medical Journal 295: 1650-1651
Cyr tant hu s ob liq uus
TREASE, G. E. & EVANS. W. C. 1983 Pharmacognosy. 12th edn.
Bailliere Tindall. London
Cyr tant hu s t u c k n
1 J
Cyr tant hu s s te n a n th u s
Haeaanthus a l b i f l o s
Haeaanthus coccineus*
Scadoxus a u l t i f l o r u s *
Scadoxus pum ceus*
Ae
Dp
Fe
ARACEAE
Acorus ca iaaus*
LIST OF ZULU MEDICINAL PLANTS
Col oc asi a antiquo rua*
S t y lo c h i to n n a ta l e n s e
Zantedeschia a l b o a a c u l a t a '
Key t o a i l a e n t s :
J - R e s pi ra to ry
K - F e b r il e
ARECACEAE
A - Sexual
L - Headaches
Phoenix r e c l i n a t a
B - S terility
R - Heart
C - Venereal
N - Nervous
D - 6yn aecoloqical
0 - Pain producing
E - Netaly born i n f a n t s
F-
F - bastro-intestm al
S - Dental
Leprosy
COWEL INACE AE
Coaaelina a f r i c a n a
Cyano tis specio sa
6 - Renal
R - Sorcery
H - Tonic
S - Sn a ke -b it e
Cyperus e s cu l e nt us
1 - 6r o»ths
T - Skin
Cyperus l o n gu s'
nn
B
A
CYPERACEAE
D
F
Fi
T
S T
C l l v i a n o b i li s *
Crinua delagoense
WATT. J. M. & BREYER-BRAN'DWIJk. M. G. 1962. The medicinal
a rut poisonous plants o f southern and eastern Africa. 2nd edn.
Livingstone, London
Fa
STAN&ERIACEAE
Stangeria e n opus
LOWER. E. S. 1985. Activity of the saponins. Drug and Cosmetic
Industry 135: 39—44.
OLIVER-BEVER. B 1986 Medicinal plants in tropical West Africa.
Cambridge University Press. Cambridge
D
Bothalia 19,1 (1989)
118
Cyperus s e x a n g u l a r i s
Cyperus sp.
B
Fi
Ledebouria cooperi
F
Ledebouria o v a t i f o l i a *
DIOSCOREACEAE
Dioscorea d i v e r s i f o l i a
N
Dioscorea dregeana
Dp
Dp Fi
Dc Fdc
L itto m a aodestat
Ae
H yr sip hyl lu a as pa ra go id e s
Ae
Drni thog alu a l o n g ib r a c t e a tu a *
N
Pr o ta sp a ra gu s sp.
Dioscorea duaentorua*
Dioscorea r u p ic o l a
Dioscorea s y l v a t i c a *
Pr o ta s pa ra gu s v i r g a t u s
Ae
Sa nd ersonia a u ra n t ia c a *
Ae
C
S a n s e v i e n a h ya c in t h o id e s
S c illa natalensis*
HYPCXIDACEAE
E i p od iu i p l i c a t u i
J
Hypoxis g e r r a r d i i
Sa ila x kr aus si ana
Fd
Hypoxis l a t i f o l u *
AeB
6
Trachyandra g e r r a r d i i
NeNe
Hypoxis ro o p er i
Tulbaghia a l l i a c e a
L
Hypoxis sp.
Dp
S c i l l a nervosa*
N
Fa
E
A
Tulbaghia n a t a l e n s i s
N
Tulbaghia v i o la c e a
IRIDACEAE
Ae
Urginea a l t i s s n a *
A r i s t e a cogaata
Urginea de lag oe ns is*
A nstea ecklonn
Jc Kc
Urginea a a cr o c e n tr a *
A r i s t e a xo o d n
Urginea physodes*
Dp
Belaicanda c h in e n s i s
Belaacanda sp.
F
ORCHIDACEAE
C r o c o s n a aurea
Fd
Acrolophia c o c h l e a r i s
Ae
Crocosna pam culata
Fdc
Ansel 11 a g ig an te a
Ae
Cro cc sai a p o t t s n
Fdc
Brac hy cor yt his ovata
Dieraaa pendulua
Br ac h y co ry th is sp.
Diete s i n d i o i d e s
D
Fdc
Coryciua n ig re s c en s
Glad iol us a u r a n t i a c u s
C y r t o rc h i s a rc u a t a
Gl ad iol us d a l e m i *
Disa i c o n 11oides
Gl ad iol us p a p i l i o
Disa polygonoides
61 a di ol us s e n c e o - v i l l o s u s
Be
Dc
Gl a di ol us spp.
Fdc
Ae
Be
Disa sta c hy o id es
E
Disa v e r s i c o l o r
Hesperantha b a u r n
Eulophia an g o le n s i s
Hesperantha l a c t e a
F
Eulophia
Hesperantha sp.
F
Eulophia c l a v i c o r n i s 2
floraea sp.
Fdc
Eulophia
floraea s p a th u l a ta *
Sp a ra x is g r a n d i l l o r a
Tritom a disticha
E
T ritonia h n e a ta
ErFi
Ae
clavicornis 1
B
clavicornis 3
Dp
B
Eulophia c u c u l l a l a t a
AeB
Eulophia e n s at a
Ae
Eulophia l eo nt og l o ss a
Eulophia o v a l i s
AeB
Eulophia p e t e r s i i
T r i t o m a sp.
Eulophia sp.
K at so ma d e n s i f l o r a
Eulophia s p e ci o s a
LILIACEAE
Eulophia
Agapanthus a f r i c a n u s *
Ae
Agapanthus praecox
A
DpE
Je
fleNe
D
Albuca spp.*
C
Fa
Alee arb or e s c en s
D
E Fi
Aloe candela bru a
tenella
I
Eulophia « e l m t s c h i i
J
H ab en an a d iv es
J
Ha b e na na dregeana
I Y
Ha b e na na e p i p a c t i d e a
B
Ha b e na na sp.
B
Aloe cooperi
Hy s ta ci di ua a i l l a r n
Aloe ferox
H y s ta ci di u a venosua
Ae
Aloe g r a c i l i s
Oeceolades a a c k e n u
Ae
Poly sta ch ya o t t o m a n a
A
Kic
Aloe l a c u l a t a
Fc
Aloe a a r l o t h n
E Fia
S a ty n u a bracteatua
E Fi
S a t y n u a longicauda
Aloe s e s s i l i f l o r a
Aloe sp.
B
D
Satynua parviflorua
Dp
Ae
Ae
Ae
E Fi
Aloe s p e c t a b i l i s
Aloe te n u i o r
Fa
Aloe t h r a s k n
POACEAE
E Fi
Benma r e t i c u l a t a
Ae
BoNiea v o l u b i l i s *
Ae
Ccix l a c r y a a - j o b i
Cyabopogon
Dp
Bulbine a lo o i d e s
F 6
0
Buibine f r u t e s c e n s
Cc
FdG
Bulbine sp.
F
Cyabopogon v a h d u s
Ne
E r a g r o s t i s plana
N
I a p e r a ta c y l i n d n c a
F
I Y
Faie
Cyabopogon exc ava tu s
C
Bulbine l a t i f o l i a
I
aarginatus
Fe
6
D
H
F
S e t a n a ae gap hy ll a
Chlorophytu* l od est ua *
Dipcadi b r e v i f o l i u a *
H
TYPHACEAE
Dipcadi sp.
Typha c a pe ns is
Dipcadi v i r l d e
D r u i a robu sta*
Kc
D rm o p sis laculata
2IN6IBERACEAE
Fi
K a e a o f e u a sp.
E riosperiui aackenn
B
Fi 5
Fe
Si pho noc hil us n a t a l e n s i s
JeKec
6 a s t e r i a crouc he ri
J
K
0
Oic
0
0
AN6I0SPERMAE - DICOTYLEDONflE
ACANTHACEAE
AeB
Adhatoda d e n s i f l o r a
Haworthia l i a i f o l i a
F
B a r l e n a ovata
Km phofia b uc ha nan n
B l e p h a n s cap ens is *
Kniphofia 1ax i f lor a
j
Km phofia p a r v i f l o r a
j
Dc
Ae
fi
Sr
G
S
Crabbea h i r s u t a
Crabbea nana
Kniphofia r oo per i
Kn ip ho ha u v a ri a
N
Oc
f
Eucoais sp.
Gl or ios a superba*
J
Sipho noc hil us a e t h i o p i c a
Er io s pe r au a sp.*
Eucoais a u tu a n a l is * C Dp
E u c o n s coaosa
C Do
C
Hypoestes a n s t a t a
J u s t l c l a Ha v a
Bothalia 19,1 (1989)
119
Pe ristrophe he n sn
V
Thunbergia a t r i p l i c i f o h a
E
Thunbergia dregeana
A
Thunbergia n a t a l e n s i s
Ae
Thunbergia venosa
Ae
Si s y ra n t h u s t n c h o s t o n u s
Ne
T
S t a o e l i a g ig an te a
NeOr
T
Tylophora f l a n a g a n ii
U
F
Kysaaiobiua i n v o lu c r a t u a
N
l y s a a i o b iu a so.
Xysaalobiua undulatua
F
H
Ls
Ne
T
AIZOACEAE
flizoon c a n a r i e n s e
Fe
ASTERACEAE
Corb icho ma decuabens
Fe
A c h yr oc hn e s te n o p t e r a
Ns
Adenosteaaa c a f f r u a
AHARANTHACEAE
F
Fde
JeKc
Fi 5
J KL
Fe
Ke
Achyropsis l e p t o s ta c h y a
Fe
Ke
Aster s e r r u l a t u s
H e r a b s ta e d ti a odo rat a
F
Ke
A t h r m a p h y l ic o i d e s
Aster bakeranus*
C
B
Ororoa p a nic ul os a*
Fed
He
Jc
Y
P r o to r h u s l o n g i f o l i a *
«
Rhus c h i r i d e n s i s
Or
R
T
N
Rhus l a e v i g a t a
Fi
S derocarya birrea*
F
UI
Annona Senegale n s i s
Fe
N
Honanthotaxis c a f f r a
Ï
Nse
APIACEAE
Alepidea a a at y a b ic a
F
JcKs
Alepidea l o n g i f o l i a
0
I
Fc6
Berkheya s u b u la t a
Fi
Bidens p i l o s a
Fcdr
Bluaea a l a t a
F
Anethua gr ave ol en s
N
Berula e re c t a *
R
I
K
Ae
N
Fad
l ic h e n s te i m a interrupta*
Fc
J K
Fc
J
Ae
P i a p i n e l l a sp.
Ae
I J
Ls
N
Y
Sesr
Y
8 HI
T
Ae
N
I
Ke
St rop ha nt hus g e r r a r d i i '
I
Strop ha nth us p e te r s ia n u s *
I
Stro pha nt hus specios us *
Fe
Ss
Y
E
Fi
Ke
T
D
ARAL 1ACEAE
C
Fe
s
T
R
J
Fad Hie
Dicoaa sp e ci o sa
J
Ur
Q
T
J
R
Fa
Fac
Ae
J
J Ks
Fa
Fa
V
r
Ns
r.
Helichrysua foetifiua
Helichrysua n u d i fc h u a
r
Fi
JeKs
TU
(is
Helichrysua oxyph/llua
i
Helichrysua peour.culatua
Helichrysua pi lo s e ll u a
Helichrysua see.
D
JI
T
K
T
T
Y
T
T
Y
Y
Fi
F
Fe
Bicroglossa a e s p i l i f o i i a
Mikama capensis
Hikar.ia na tal en sis
Nioorella sp.
C
C
I
K
K Ls
6
Ls
S
grar.dioentatua
iabri catu a
jucurdua
sc an o su a
U
Fe
Fe
Ke
F
Fe
Fa
Y
H
T
Phyaasperiua acerosua
ASCLEPIADACEAE
A sde pias cucullata
I
A sc lep ia s c u l t r i f o r a i s
I
A s d e p i a s fle *u os a
I
A sd e p ias fruticosa*
Dp
Fi
Je
Ec
Asdepias s p .'
I
B
Y
Ceropegia «aoodi l
Ne
Cynanchua o b t u s i f o l i u a *
Ne
I
Huernia h y s t r i x
I
Huernia sp.
I
Orbea v a r i e g a ta
I
Pachycarpus i n t o n s t a n s
F
Pachycarpus n a t a l e n s i s
F
Ls
Ns
J Y
Y
Pachycarpus scaber
I Y
Sa rc o s te aa a v i a i n a le *
D E Fe
V
S c hi :o gl os s u a atro p u rp u re u a
I
Secaaone g e r r a r d i i
Fc
H
Or
Ae
S is yr a n th u s h u t t o m a e
N
Si sy ra n t h u s s a u n d er s ia e
Ne
u
Senecio o x y r i i f o h u s
Ic
V
r
k
J
j K
J
Dp
Fc
Y
ti
HI
D
Senecio erubescers
Senecio mornatus
Senecio lanceus
I
A s d e p i a s physocarpa*
D F
Schistostephiua h i p o n f o l i u a
Senecio iupieuroioes*
S
A s d e p i a s a e li o d o ra
I
I
Platycarpha gloaerata
P r i n t r i a pyr ifo lia *
P ul ic a r ia scabra
L
A s d e p i a s gibba
«
*
Dp
6
K
F
Senecio quinquelcbus
Senecio serratuloifles*
Senecio sp.
C
Senecio speciosus
Senecio taaoiOes
Sp: 1ant ties aau rit ia na
Y
f;r
J kc
H J
Jce
Jr Ls
I
&
br
T
U
Fc
Y
fi
Ursima antheaoides
1‘r s i n i a sp.
a
V
Ursima tenuiloba
Vernoria aioensis
F
Vernonia a n g u li f o h a
Vernonia liirsuta
Vernonia a e s p i l i f o h a
Vernonia na tal en sis
Vernonia r.eocoryabosa
M
Nr
Ae
Ot*ionna nata le nsi s
Pentzia p i l u h f e r a
Ke
S
K
J
Osteosperaua
Osteosperaua
Osteoioeraua
Csteosperau*
I
N0
Ni
Dicoaa sp.
Matricaria m g e l l i f o h a *
flelanthera scanflens
AQUIFOLIACEAE
Secaaone sp.
Fi
6erbera pi lo s e ll o id e s
Helichrysua cooperi
Helichrysua decorua
SeT
Cussoma s p i c a t a
Cotula a nth ea oi des
F el ici a erige roides
6a:ania riae ns
Berber» aabigua
Fa6 H
11 ex a i t i s
Fa
Cr as socephalua rubens
I Y
Fa
N r i g h ti a n a t a l e n s i s
Dp
N
J
J
I
F 8 H I
Je
Conyra u l a i f o l i a
R
N
Acokanthera o b l o n g if o li a *
Dp
J
Fe
JrKc
E t h u h a conyzoides
Acokanthera o p p o s i t i f o l i a *
O r e in o t l s in an d e ns is
Fa H
Dp
Conyza s c ab ri d a
I
APOCYNACEAE
Ra uvoHia c a f f r a *
V
Or
J K
R
Fa
Ca th ara nt hus ro seu s
V
Cony:a podocephala
E c lipta prostrata*
L i c h e n s t e m i a t o lb e a na
T UV
Dicoaa zeyheri
Heteroaorpha t r i f o l l ata*
Piapinella caffra
B
Dicoaa anoaala
J
Se
J
6 He
Berkheya sp e ci o sa
C a l l i l e p i s l au r e ol a *
Foeni culua vul gare
H
J
Brachylaena e l l i p t i c a
ANNONACEAE
Vs
Fe
Brachylaena d i s c o l o r
He
S T
L
F
Berkheya sp.
Fe
T
N
N
Berkheya rfi apontica
H a rp ep hy llu i c a f f r u a
Ae
Ks
F
Berkheya s e ai n i v ea
ANACARDIACEAE
Bupleurua a u n d t u
H
Aster spp.
Pupal l a atr o p u r p u re a
P u p a lia sp.
K
A spiha natalensis
Fe
T
Fi
A rteaisia afra
flchyranthes aspera
Achyropsis a v i c u l a n s
He
Ae
J Her
U
a
Fc
F
Ae
J
Ls
k
I
Dp F
*
Y
Bothalia 19.1 (1989)
120
Vernonia
oligocephala
Vernonia
sp.
Turbina obl ongata
CRASSULACEAE
BALANï IACEAt
Balanites aaugha»;l
Cotyledon o r b i c u l a t a *
BALANOPHORACEAE
Crassu la dependens
Sarcophyte sanguinea
Fd
I
T UV
Cr a s su la alb a
Fde
Cr a ssu la b arb at a
Fe
Crassu la a u l t i c a v a
Ks
I
Ne
Fe
Cr a ssu la o r b i c u l a r i s
Fe
BALSAMINACEAE
Crassu la s a r c o c a u l i s
Fe
lapatiens h o c h ste tte ri
C r a s su la sp.
Cr as sul a va gin at a
BE60NIACEAE
Kalanchoe c re n a t a
Beqoma sp.
Je
Kalanchoe nr. p a m c u l a t a
Begonia s u t h e r l a n d n
Kalanchoe r o t u n d i f o l i a '
Kalanchoe sp.
BIENONIACEAE
Kalanchoe t h y r s i f 1ora*
Dp
Fac
K i q e l u a fr i c a n a *
CUCURBITACEAE
B0RA6INACEAE
Co cc im a p a l a a t a
Cynoglossui hi sp id u »
Cucuais a fr i c a n u s *
Hvosotis a f r o p a l u s t r i s
Cucuais h i r s u t u s *
NeOc
Cucuais a y n o c a r p u s *
BRASSICACEAE
Cucuais sp.*
H e l io p h i l a s u b u la t a
6 e r r a r d a n t h u s a a c r o r h iz u s
Lepidiua capense
Lagenaria sp ha eri ca*
Lepid iua p i nn at u a
Hoaordica b a ls a a in a *
Lep id iua s c t u n z n
Hoaordica f o e t i d a
H 1
Lepidiua sp.
CUNONIACEAE
CACTACEAE
Cunoma c ap en si s
R h i p s a li s b a c c i f e r a
DIPSACAEAE
CAHPANULACEAE
Ceph al ari a a t t e n u a t a
Nahlenbergia g r a n d i f l o r a
C e pha lar ia zeyh eria na
Nahlenbergia sp.
Scabiosa c o l u a b a n a
H I
Ae
D
T
V
Mahlenbergia un du la ta
EBENACEAE
Diospyros pal lens
CAMELLACEAE
Narburgia s a l u t a r i s
Fc6
JsKec
Diospyros v i l l o s a
T U
Diospyros ahyteana*
CANNABACEAE
Cannabis s a t i v a
DsE
E u d e a c ris p a *
Fc
E u d e a d iv in o r u a
F
Eudea natalensis*
FcScH I s J r
J
N0
Eudea schiapen
CAPPARACEAE
Cadaba n a t a l e n s i s
Je
E u d e a sp.
Cappans b r a s s n
Je
E u d e a undul ata
C a p p a n s to aen to sa*
H I Jes Lr
S
U
Cleoae aonophy11 a
Je
Dp
Fc
M
EUPHORBIACEAE
Acalypha p e d u n c u l a n s
CELASTRACEAE
Acalypha pu nc tat a
Cas sine a e t h i o p i c a
Fdc
Acalvpha sp.
Cassine crocea*
Fe
Andrachne o v a li s *
Cas sine sp.
N I
Andrachne sp.
Cassine t r a n s v a a l e n s i s
Fee
Antidesaa venosua*
Catha e d u li s *
F
B rldeli a cathartica
Haytenus h e te r o p h y ll a *
Fde
B n del ía ai c r a n th a *
Haytenus spp.
Fc
Cavacoa aurea
P terocelastrus ro stratu s
C l u ti a a f f i m s
Sa l a c i a 1ep toe 1ada
C l u t i a h e t e r o p h y ll a
C l u ti a h i r s u t a
Fed
Y
Fc
CHENOPODIACEAE
Clutia platyphylla
F
Chenopodiua albua*
C l u ti a p u l c h e l l a '
E Fdi
Chenopodiua a a b ro s i o id e s *
C l u t i a sp.*
CLUSIACEAE
Hypencua ae th io pi c u a *
CD
F be
T
V
H
K
I Y
L
Croton g r a t i s s i a u s *
F 6r
Croton s y lv a t ic u s *
F 6rH IrJrKce
I Y
IrJrKce
Euphorbia b u p l e u r i f o h a
Euphorbia ingens*
COMBRETACEAE
Euphorbia nr . a o od n
Coaoretua a p i c u l a t u a
Euphorbia p u g m f o r a i s
Coabretua c a f f r u a
J a tr o p ha h i r s u t a
Coabretua e ry t h r o p h y ll u a *
J a tr o p ha zeyheri
Coabretua h e re ro en se
H a r g a r i t a r i a disc oi de a*
T e r a i n a li a phane rop hl eb ia
Honademua lugardae*
Terainalia sericea*
Phyl 1anthus a e y e n a n u s
J KL
P h y lla nt hu s r e t i c u l a t u s
COKVOLVULACEAE
T
Ri cin us co aaums*
Convolvulus f a r m o s u s
Fe
S p i ro s t a c h y s a fr i c a n a *
Ipoaea f i c i f o l i a
F
Synademua cupulare*
Ipoaoea c a i r i c a *
F
Tragia aey eri ana
Ipoaoea co ngesta
F
Ipoaoea c r a s s i p e s
Fds
FABACEAE
Ipoaoea purpurea
F
Abrus p r e c a t o r i u s *
Her re a ia t r i d e n t a t a
F
Acacia c a f f r a
Ti
a
Fi
He
r
Vs
Bothalia 19,1 (1989)
121
Acacia g e r r a r d i i
Acacia ka rroo
Fdi
Acacia n i l o t i c a
Acacia reh aa nni ana
Nees
Sebaea gr an d is
Ae
Ne
Sebaea sedo ide s
Ae
Sebaea sp.
Ae
J
Oc
Acacia xanthophloea
T
Ke
GERANIACEAE
A fz eli a quan zen sis
A lb izi a a d i a n t h i f o l i a *
T
Ae
F
T
Al b i z l a f o r b e s i i
Kc
A l b n i a s u lu e n s i s *
Kc
A ly sic ar pu s rugosus
V
JsKi
ftonsonia e a a r g i n a t a
Fd
Pelargomua luridua
Fd
Pelargomua s id i f o li u a
N
C
Y
IY
Fd
P e l ar g o m u a spp.
J K
Fd
I Y
JeKe
Argyrolobiua sp.
6ESNERIACEAE
T
Arg yrolohiua a a r g i n a t u a
Arg yrolobiua n a t a l e n s e
Se r a m u a ornithopodon
N
A l b i n a sp.
Fi
F
S t re p t o c a r p u s p r o l u u s
Ae
Argyrolobiua s pe ci o s u a
S t r e p t o c a r p u s sp.
D
Be
Argyrolobiua s t i p u l a c e u a
S
Arg yrolobiua to a e n t o s u a
6REYIACEAE
Ne
6 r e y i a S u t h e rl a n d !!
Cal pu rni a aurea
M
Calp urn ia v i l l o s a
«
Cas sia f 1orlbunda
Y
I
Cas sia i t a l i c a *
Fe
Y
HALORA6ACEAE
Sunnera perpensa
J K
Cas sia a i a o s o i d e s
Fd
Cas sia o c c i d e n t a l í s*
N
F
ICACINACEAE
UI
N 0
Cas sia sp.
Apodytes d i a i d i a t a
I
C r o t a l a n a la n c e o l a t a *
I Y
Pyr enacantha g r a n d i f l o r a
Ae
Pyrenacantha scandens
A B
Dp
C r o t a l a r u sp.*
Dal bergia obovata
Ae
Bi
ILLECEBRACEAE
S
D ia llu a s c h l e c h t e n
Dianthus c re n a t us
Pol 11 chi a c a a p e s t n s
Dichros tach ys c i n e r e a
E l e p h a n t o r rh i z a e l e p h a n t in a ' f l e C
Fdce
E l e p h a n t o r rh i z a sp .*
S i le n e b u r c h e l l i i
her
Entada s p i c a t a
Er io s e a a c o r d a t u i
S i le n e b e l l i d i o i d e s
J Ke
Cr
NeNe
A B
LAMIACEAE
Er io s e a a d i s t i n c t u a
B
E r io s e t a s a li g n u a
B
E r y th r i n a c a f f r a *
C
6
Beciua knyanua
Beciua obovatua
Fi
6
Leo no tis leonu ru s
Fd
JcK Ls
Leon ot is o c y a i f o l i a
F
K
E ry thr op hl eua l a s i a n t h u a *
F
In d ig o f e ra
cylindrica
Fa
le u c a s a a r t i m c e n s i s
In di go f e ra
eriocarpa
Fd
Nentha a q u a ti c a
In d ig o f e ra
hilaris*
Fd
Bentha l o n g i f o l i a
In d ig o f e ra
a icrantha
Fa
P l e c t r a n t h u s aaoiguus
I nd ig o f e ra
spp.
Fd
In d ig o f e ra t e n u i s s i a a *
KsLs
N
T
K
K
Fc
J
Plectranthus lax iflo ru s
Fc
Fc
1
Kc
In d ig o f e ra v e l u t i n a
Fd
Plectranthus u d a g a sc a rie n s is
Lonchocarpus capassa*
Fd
P l e c t r a n t h u s sp.
K
P l e c t r a n t h u s sp.
K
y
Pycnostachys r e t i c u l a t a
Hundulea s e n c e a *
S a l v ia scabra
Nentoma h i l d e b r a n d t n
Stachys n i g r i c a n s
Ae
Oraocarpua t n c h o c a r p u a
Syncolosteaoii d e n s i f l o r u s
Ae
Be
P s o r al e a p i n n at a
Rhynchosia ne rvosa
Ae
Rhynchosia sp.
A
Sync olosteaon p a r v i f l o r u s
Fi
T e t ra d e n ia r i p a r i a
F E
Teuenua k r a u s s n
Sc h o tia b r a e h y p a t a l a
Fd
LAURACEAE
Sp he n o s ty l is a n g u s t i f o l i a
Fe
Cryptocarya l a t i f o h a
Tephrosia ca p en s is *
Tephrosia d e n s i f l o r a *
Fe
Ls fl N
Y
Y
T
He
Je*
H
Ls
Or
LECYTHIDACEAE
Tephrosia el o n g a t a
Fe
B a r r i n g t o m a race ao sa *
Ke
Tep hrosia g r a n d i f l o r a
Tephrosia k r au s s i an a
Tephrosia l u r i d a
J
Ocotea b u l l a t a
Tephrosia d i f f u s a *
a
P l e c t r a n t h u s sp.
H i l l e t t i a gr an d i s
Pe lto ph or ua a f r i c a n u a
I
J KcL
Plectranthus hadiensis
Racr oty lo aa a x 1 11 are
Y
Y
Ki
J K
Lotus d i s c o l o r
Se
LENTIBIH.ARIACEAE
Ae
U t n c u l a n a livida
Tephrosia aaeropoda*
J K
Y
U tricularia preh en silis
Ae
Tep hrosia purpurea*
Tephrosia t o x i c a n a *
LINACEAE
Tephrosia v o g e l n
Linua t h u n b e r g n
Vigna l u t e o l a
Ae
Vigna u n g u i c u l a ta
Ae
LOBELIACEAE
Vigna v e n l l a t a
Ae
Cyphia e l a t a
Zornia c a pe n s is
I Y
Lobel ia c o r o n o p i f o l i a
Lobel ia er i n u s
FLACOURTIACEAE
Lotielia p a tu l a
Dovyalis rh aan oi de s
6errardina fo lio sa
Hoaaliua
d e n ta t u a
Tnaeria
grandifolia
Xy1ot heea k r au s s ia na
Dp
K
Honopsis d e c ip i e n s
I! L
Honopsis s cab ra
F
Fc
Ae
L06ANIACEAE
Buddleia s a l v n f o l i a *
N un a f 1oribunda
6EWTIANACEAE
Ch ironia
f
pur pu ras ee ns
Sebaea b o j e r i
Sebaea c r a s s u h f o l i a
Ae
Nuiia o p p o s i t i f o l i a
Stryehnos de c us sa ta
Strychnos h e n m n g s u *
Fd
Stryehnos sp ino sa
A
Bothalia 19,1(1989)
122
LORANTHACEAE
Mondia n h i t e i
F
H
E n a n t h e a u a dr eg e i
Raphionacae sp.
Fa
H 1
H
Tacazzea a p i c u l a t a
MALPIWIACEAE
PHYTOLACCACEAE
Acridoc arp us n a t a l l t i u s
Fe
Phyt olac ca a a e n c a n a *
MALVACEAE
Ph yt ola cc a dodecandra*
H ib isc us a e t h i o p i c u s
Ph yt ola cc a heptandra*
Hi bi scu s p e du nc ula tu s
Phyt olac ca oc tandra*
Hi bi scu s p u s i l l u s
J
I
S T
Ke
G
F 6c
S
S T
Ae
H ib is c u s s u r a t t e n s i s
PITTOSFORACEAE
Si da dregei
Pittosporua v ir i d if l o r u a
Ke
Fee H
N Oc
Thespesia a c u t i l o b a
PLANTA61NACEAE
Pla nta go a a jo r
MELASTONATACEAE
DpE Fd
O i s s o t i s ca nescens
PLUMBA6INACEAE
Ekeoerqia c a pe n s is
Fae H
T n c h i l i a dregeana
Fed
0
T r i c h i l u eaetica*
Fd6c
Oc
Be
NeNeOe
Turraea flo r ib u n d a *
Turraea o b t u s i f o l i a *
J
Ne
Ne
POLYGALACEAE
Dp
Pol yga la f r u t i c o s a
G H IsJ
Po ly ga la g a l p i n i i
Fee
P ol yga la h o t t e n t o t t a
Fc
Poly ga la s e r p e n t a r i a
Fi
IY
P ol yga la sp.
HELIANTHACEAE
Bersa«a lucens*
Ls
Pluabago a u r i c u l a t a *
MELIACEAE
B
P ol yga la v i r g a t a
D
He lia n th u s eoaosus*
S T UV
Hel ian th us dregeanus*
S
POLY6QMACEAE
Eaex a u s t r a l i s
HENISPERMACEAE
Oxygonua dregeanua
C is saa pe lo s l u c r o n a t a
Polygonua l a p a t h i f o l i u a
Cis s aa pe lo s sp.
Polygonua s a l i c i f o l i u a
C i s s aa p e l as t o r u l o s a
Ruaex l a n c e o l a t u s
St e p h am a a b y s s i n i c a
Ruaex s a g i t t a t u s
B
D
FaidH
F
J K Ls
0
a
PORTULACACEAE
MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE
Aptenia c o r d i f o i l a
Fic
P o r tu l a c a q u a d r i f i d a
Fe
Carpobrotus e d u l i s
Fib
T a l in u a c a f f r u a
Fci
Delosperaa v e l u t i n u a
Fe
Meseabryantheaua so.
Fee
Ir
It
PTAEROIYLACEAE
NeQr
IY
Es
Pt a er o x yl ua ob hq uua *
MCSACEAE
RANUNCULACEAE
Fi cu s ingens
Ficus n a t a l e n s i s
Aneaone c a f f r a
Fee
Fi cus sur
C leaatis brachiata
Fae
Fi cus sp.
Kno»ltonia aneaonoides
i
}K L
Myrica s e r r a t a
Ls
Ls
IY
Ls
Ranunculus sp.
MYRICACEAE
I
T h a i i c t r u a rhynchocarpua
RHAHNACEAE
HYRSINACEAE
Bercheaia d i s c o l o r
E a b e h a ru a i n a ta *
Fa
Maesa a l m f o l i a
Fa
Bercheaia zeyheri
Maesa l an c e o l at a *
Maesa sp.
Fae
Fa
He linus i n t e g r i f o l i u s
Rapanea aelanop hlo eos
Fee
H
Fdi
H
Rhaanus p r m o i d e s
)
HYRTACEAE
ROSACEAE
A g n a o m a e u p a to r ia
Eugenia a l b a n e n s i s
Leucosidea s e r i c e a
Heteropyxis n a t a l e n s i s
Prunus a fr i ca n a *
Syzygiua cordatua*
Fe
Syzygiua g e r r a r d i i
i
Rubus l u d m g i i
)
Rubus pi nn atu s
Rubus n g i d u s
OCHUACEAE
Ochna n a t a l i t i a
RUBIACEAE
Ochna s e r r u l a t a
Ag athisan theaua b o j e r i
B u r c h e ll ia bu ba lin a
OLEACEAE
Canthiua c i l i a t u a
Ja sai nua a u l t i p a r t i t u a
Canthiua in er a e
J a sa in u a sp.*
Catunaregaa spinosa*
01 ea europaea
6
J
Coddla r u d i s
L
Conostoaiua n a t a l e n s e
OIALIDACEAE
Gardenia co rnuta
Oxalis se ai lo ba *
Gardenia t e r m f o l i a
Gardenia t h un ber gi a
PASSIFLORACEAE
Gardenia v o l k e n s u
Adenii gu aa ife ra*
Fe
Basananthe s a n d e r s o n n
H
Ke
M
P
Hyperacanthus aaoenus
Kohautia aa at ya bi c a
Lagynias l a s i a n t h a
PEDAL IACEAE
Oldenlandia a f f i m s
D
F
Oldenlandia coryabosa
Old enlandia sp.
P a v e tt a spp.
AeB
u
J
1 Je
Ziziphus au cronat a
Eucalyptus sp.
PERIPLOCACEAE
I
E Fd 6
Ranunculus a u l t i f i d u s *
Cer ato th eca t r i l o b a
K Ls
o
a
T U
Bothalia 19,1 (1989)
123
Pentanisia prunelloides
C Dp
Pentodon penta ndr us
Fc
*0
H I J K
Mithama s o a n if e ra *
S T U
C
Fi
I J Ki
Nc
T
Y
Fe
P s y c h o tr i a c a p en s i s
Fe
Rubla c o r d i f o l i a
AeB
D
Speraacoce n a t a l e n s i s
STERCULIACEAE
F
J
Fd
J
a
n
nti
Doaoeva r o t u n d i f o l i a
Heraanma depre ss a
T
Fc
Ae
fi
Fd
J
N
I
Heraanma g r a n d i s t i p u l a
Y
RUTACEAE
Calodendrua capense
THYflELAEACEAE
Clausena a n i s a t a
V e p n s u nd ul ata
Zant hox ylui capense
B
EsFac
Ki
F
Ke
HsNeO
H
J Ks
Ns
S
6 n ld la c a lo c e ph a la
Fac H I sJe i
Zanthoxylua davyi
6 m d i a a n th y l l o id e s *
Or
Q
J K
S T
Bnidia cuneata
Ser
5 m d ; a k rau ss ian a *
Bnidia pc lya nt ha
SALVADORACEAE
T
H
Do Fc
J
0
S T
Y
S
Ae
T
Bnidia spp.
Aziaa t e t r a c a n t h a
a
Kc
H
S I
V
8
TIL IACEAE
SANTALACEAE
Corchorus a s o l e m f o l i u s
O s yr id ic a rp os s c h ia p e r i a n u s
A
6 r e* i a c a f f r a
6c
6rem a occidentahs
SAPINDACEAE
6c
T
T riu a fe tta pilosa
C a r d io s p e r tu i tialicacabua*
C
Fdc H
Deinbolha oblongifolia
Hippobroaus p a u c if lo r u s *
D
Js
T
Fd
Ae
I
T
T r i u a f e t t a rn oaboidea
Dp
N
Fd
Ls
Ne
V
TRIHENIACEAE
Jyaal os aonospora
F
SAPOTACEAE
Sid eroxylon i n e r a e
Kc
Ne
Ur
ULNACEAE
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Buchnera dura
F
Treaa o r i e n t a l i s
Fe
Ae
Cycmua racea os u*
D
Cycniu* t u bu los ua
Ae
6 r a d e r i a scab ra
Aes
Oe
URTICACEAE
Laportea gro ssa
D
K
Fc
T
V
Harveya s pe ci o s a
F
Hanulea p a r v i f l o r a
Fi
P e l i o s t o a u a c a ly c in u »
Fi
Su t e ra f l o r ib u n d a
D
Su te ra k r au s s i an a
D
N
U
K
T
Ke
Y
Pouzo lzia a i x t a
Kc
U r t ic a urens
Ns
B
Y
Cl erodenarua gl abr ua
Fa&e
Clerodendrua h i r s u t u a
Fa
S
S
Clerodendrua t r i p h y l l u a
H e b e n s tr e ti a sp.
Selago sp.
Sr
U
Dp
6c
Fi
J
T
Li pp ia jav a ni c a
F
J K
T
Fc
J
Fr iv a c o r d i f o l i a
C
T
Vitex r e h a a n n u
Vitex a i l a s n
Datura a e t e l *
Datura s t r a a o m u a *
I
P h y s a li s peruviana*
Ls
N
T
Ls
N
TU
V
N
)
NeOc
Hybanthus er.neasoeraus
Hybanthus sp.
i
NG
H
Ae
F
T
Solanua a c u le a s tr u a *
Gr J
VISCACEAE
Ur
Viscua so.
s
Solanua a c u l e a t i s s i a u a *
C
6
Solanua gi gan te ua
;
S T
-
T
Cyphosteaaa hypoleucua
Cyphosteaaa n a t a l l t i u a
a
T
T
a
I
Rho ic iss us t r i d e n t a t a *
J
Solanua incanua*
Solanua a a u n t i a n u a *
Fe
Solanua nigrua*
Fi
Solanua p a n d u ri f o ra e
Solanua to ae n to su a
V
VIOLACEAE
Fi
B
I
Lantana rugosa
SOLANACEAE
Solanua capense
Y
Clerodendrua s u f f r u t i c o s u a
SELA6INACEAE
Solanua sp.*
Solanua a can th oi deu a
J K
!
Cl erodenarua a y r i c o i d e s
Ae
T e t ra s e la g o n a t a l e n s i s
I
VERBENACEAE
J
S ut e ra sp.
Y
Laportea p ed u n c u la r is
H a l l e n a lu ci d a
Zaluzianskya a a n t i a a
a
Chaetacae a r i s t a t a *
c
Vr
Fi
VITACEAE
Cissus q u a d r a n g u l a n s
Y
Kc
Cyphosteaaa l a m g e r u a
Or
T
a
Y
Y
Rho ic iss us to aen to sa*
B
Dp
K
I