Table 2 Useful plant species recorded in in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa
Species name and voucher number | Family | Vernacular name (isiXhosa) | Growth form | Wild/cultivated | Frequency (%)b | Main use | Parts used | Cured diseases | Other uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
a Acacia baileyana F. Muell.; AM 1421 | Fabaceae | Iwatlisi | Tree | W | 2.9 | T | Stems | Â | Â |
Acacia caffra (Thunb.) Wild.; AM 1504 | Fabaceae | Umthole | Tree | W | 3.6 | T | Stems | Â | Â |
aAcacia dealbata Link.; AM 1422 | Fabaceae | Idywabasi | Tree | W | 4.3 | T | Stems | Â | Fi |
Acacia karroo Hayne; AM 1423 | Fabaceae | Umnga | Tree | W | 21.7 | Fi | Bark, leaves, stems | Boils, diarrhoea, haemorrhage, ringworm, thrush, tuberculosis (TB) | B, EVM, M |
aAcacia mearnsii De Wild.; AM 1424 | Fabaceae | Idywabasi | Tree | W | 7.2 | T | Bark, leaves, stems | Diarrhoea | Fi, M |
Acokanthera oblongifolia (Hochst.) Codd; AM 1451 | Apocynaceae | Inxinebe | Tree | W | 8.7 | M | Leaves | Headache, snakebite | EVM |
Agapanthus africanus Hoffmanns; AM 1432 | Alliaceae | Isicakathi | Herb | W | 5.1 | M | Leaves | Antiseptic, rash, stomach problems | Â |
a Agave americana L.; AM 1452 | Asparagaceae | Ikhamanga | Shrub | WC | 5.8 | O | Leaf sap, whole plant | High blood pressure | M |
Alepidea amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh.; AM 1494 | Apiaceae | Iqwili | Herb | W | 25.4 | M | Roots | Abdominal pains, fever, pimples, wounds | Â |
Alepidea serrata Eckl. & Zeyh.; AM 1505 | Apiaceae | Ubulawa | Herb | W | 1.4 | M | Roots | Cough | Â |
a Allium cepa L.; AM 1507 | Alliaceae | Itswele | Herb | C | 40.6 | F | Bulb | Â | Â |
a Allium sativum L.; AM 1508 | Alliaceae | Ivimbampunzi | Herb | C | 11.6 | F | Bulb | Cough | M |
Aloe arborescens Mill.; AM 1493 | Asphodelaceae | Ingcelwane | Shrub | W | 12.3 | M | Leaf gel | Constipation, dry skin, wounds | EVM |
Aloe ciliaris Haw.; AM 1506 | Asphodelaceae | Intelezi | Shrub | W | 1.4 | M | Leaf gel | Wounds | Â |
Aloe ferox Mill.; AM 1409 | Asphodelaceae | iKhala | Shrub | W | 38.4 | M | Leaf gel | Boils, dry skin, immune booster, stomachache, TB, wounds | EVM |
Aloe marlothii A. Berger; AM 1514 | Asphodelaceae | Imvomvo | Tree | W | 2.9 | EVM | Leaf gel | Â | Â |
a Amaranthus hybridus L.; AM 1515 | Amaranthaceae | Nomdlomboyi | Herb | W | 4.3 | F | Leaves | Â | Â |
Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd.; AM 1516 | Asteraceae | Umhlonyane | Shrub | W | 24.6 | M | Leaves, roots | Cough, diabetes, loss of appetite, TB | Â |
Asparagus africanus L.; AM 1495 | Asparagaceae | Umathunga | Climber | W | 13.8 | M | Leaves, roots | Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), to speed up labour, wounds | Â |
Asparagus asparagoides (L.) Druce; AM 1433 | Asparagaceae | Imvane | Climber | W | 1.4 | M | Roots | STIs | Â |
Asparagus laricinus Burch. | Asparagaceae | Inqatha | Shrub | W | 1.4 | EVM | Roots | Â | Â |
a Beta vulgaris L.; AM 1489 | Chenopodiaceae | Â | Herb | C | 10.9 | F | Leaves | Â | Â |
a Bidens pilosa L.; AM 1536 | Asteraceae | Umhlabangulo | Herb | W | 3.6 | F | Leaves | TB | M |
Boophone disticha (L. f.) Herb.; AM 1496 | Amaryllidaceae | Ishwadi | Herb | W | 13.0 | M | Bulb | Boils, circumcision wounds | EVM |
Bowiea volubilis Harv. ex Hook. f. ssp. volubilis; AM 1490 | Hyacinthaceae | Umagaqana | Herb | W | 13.0 | M | Bulb | Headache, inflammations, impotence | Â |
a Brassica oleracea L.; AM 1535 | Brassicaceae | Ikhaphetshu | Herb | C | 63.8 | F | Leaves | Â | Â |
aBrassica rapa L.; AM 1534 | Brassicaceae | Â | Herb | C | 2.9 | F | Leaves | Â | Â |
Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lam.; AM 1533 | Rhizophoraceae | Isiqungati | Tree | W | 4.3 | T | Stems | Â | Â |
Bulbine abyssinica A. Rich.; AM 1492 | Asphodelaceae | Uyakayakana | Herb | W | 5.1 | M | Leaves, roots | Diarrhoea, menstrual pain | EVM |
Bulbine frutescens (L.) Willd.; AM 1532 | Asphodelaceae | Ibhucu | Herb | W | 8.7 | M | Leaf sap | Diabetes, ringworm, wounds | EVM |
Bulbine latifolia (L. f.) Roem. & Schult.; AM 1531 | Asphodelaceae | Incelwane | Herb | W | 15.2 | M | Roots | Diarrhoea, speed up labour | EVM |
Capparis tomentosa Lam.; AM 1410 | Capparaceae | Umpasimani | Tree | W | 5.8 | M | Roots | Pneumonia, snakebite, sore throat | Â |
a Capsicum annuum L.; AM 1447 | Solanaceae | Itshilisi | Herb | C | 34.8 | F | Fruits | Fever | M |
Carissa bispinosa (L.) Desf. ex Brenan; AM 1448 | Apocynaceae | Beta-umtumzi | Shrub | W | 4.3 | F | Fruits | Â | Â |
Carpobrotus edulis (L.) L. Bolus; AM 1449 | Mesembryanthemaceae | Igcukuma | Shrub | W | 7.9 | M | Leaves | Ringworm, sore throat, TB, wounds | Â |
a Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don; AM 1450 | Apocynaceae | Â | Herb | WC | 9.4 | O | Leaves, whole plant | Cancer, diabetes | M |
Centella coriacea Nannf.; AM 1453 | Apiaceae | Unongotyozana | Herb | W | 10.1 | F | Leaves | STIs, TB, wounds | M, EVM |
a Chenopodium album L.; AM 1454 | Chenopodiaceae | Iphunga | Herb | W | 10.9 | F | Leaves | Â | Â |
Cheilanthes hirta Sw.; AM 1455 | Pteridaceae | Ifense | Pteridophyte | W | 1.4 | M | Leaves | Wounds | Â |
a Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.; AM 1530 | Rutaceae | Lamuni | Tree | C | 18.8 | F | Fruits, leaves | Skin rash | M |
aCitrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck; AM 1529 | Rutaceae | Iorenji | Tree | C | 20.3 | F | Fruits | Â | Â |
Clivia miniata Regel; AM 1434 | Amaryllidaceae | Umayime | Herb | W | 4.3 | M | Leaves | Stomach problems | Â |
Combretum erythrophyllum (Burch.) Sond.; AM 1528 | Combretaceae | Umdubu | Tree | W | 2.2 | B | Leaves | Â | Â |
Convolvulus sagittatus Thumb; AM 1497 | Convolvulaceae | Uboqo | Herb | W | 1.4 | M | Roots | Headache | Â |
a Cucurbita maxima Duchesne; AM 1517 | Cucurbitaceae | Ithanga | Climber | C | 23.9 | F | Fruits | Â | Â |
a Cucurbita moschata Duchesne ex Poir.; AM 1498 | Cucurbitaceae | Ithanga | Climber | C | 29.7 | F | Fruits | Â | Â |
Cussonia paniculata Eckl. & Zeyh.; AM 1518 | Araliaceae | Umsenge | Tree | W | 5.8 | M | Bark, leaves | Immune booster, skin diseases | Â |
Cussonia spicata Thunb.; AM 1488 | Araliaceae | Umgezisa | Tree | W | 7.2 | M | Leaves | Immune booster, stomach problems | EVM |
Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle; AM 1426 | Poaceae | Umqungu | Grass | W | 1.4 | T | Leaves | Â | Â |
a Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.; AM 1509 | Poaceae | Uqaqaqa | Grass | W | 4.3 | B | Leaves | Â | Â |
aDatura stramonium L.; AM 1510 | Solanaceae | Uvumbangwe | Herb | W | 6.5 | M | Leaves | Asthma, boils, wounds | Â |
aDaucas carota L.; AM 1487 | Apiaceae | umnqathi | Herb | C | 26.8 | F | Roots | Â | Â |
Diospyros lycioides Desf.; AM 1427 | Ebenaceae | Umbhongisa | Shrub | W | 2.2 | B | Leaves | Â | Â |
Dovyalis caffra (Hook. f. & Harv.) Hook. f.; AM 1486 | Flacourtiaceae | Incagolo | Shrub | W | 4.3 | F | Fruits | Â | Â |
Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Burch.) Skeels; AM 1425 | Fabaceae | Intolwane | Shrub | W | 17.4 | M | Rhizomes | High blood pressure, haemorrhoids, rashes, purify blood | EVM |
a Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.; AM 1485 | Myrtaceae | Â | Tree | WC | 5.1 | T | Stems, leaves | Cough, TB | Fi, M |
aEucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden; AM 1519 | Myrtaceae | Â | Tree | WC | 2.9 | T | Stems | Â | Fi |
Euphorbia ingens E. Mey. ex Boiss; AM 1520 | Euphorbiaceae | Intsema | Shrub | W | 4.3 | M | Latex | Cancer, skin rash | Â |
a Ficus carica L.; AM 1484 | Moraceae | ikwiwane | Tree | C | 5.1 | F | Fruits | Â | Â |
Gnidia capitata L. f.; AM 1527 | Thymelaeaceae | Isidikili | Shrub | W | 3.6 | M | Roots | Ringworm, wounds | Â |
Grewia occidentalis L.f.; AM 1526 | Malvaceae | Umvilani | Shrub | W | 1.4 | EVM | Roots | Â | Â |
Gunnera perpensa L.; AM 1525 | Gunneraceae | Iphuzi | Herb | W | 18.1 | M | Rhizomes | Cancer, constipation, induce or augment labour, inflammation, menstrual pain, wounds | EVM |
Harpephyllum caffrum Bernh.; AM 1483 | Anacardiaceae | Umgwenye | Tree | W | 12.3 | F | Bark, fruits | Rash, wounds | EVM, M |
Helichrysum gymnocomum DC.; AM 1458 | Asteraceae | Icholachola | Herb | W | 5.8 | M | Whole plant | Colds, cough | Â |
Helichrysum nudifolium (L.) Less.; AM 1457 | Asteraceae | Icholocholo | Herb | W | 8.7 | M | Leaves | Cough, diabetes, menstrual pain, wounds | Â |
Helichrysum odoratissimum (L.) Sweet; AM 1456 | Asteraceae | Iphepho | Shrub | W | 12.3 | M | Whole plant | Colds, diabetes, headache, wounds | Â |
Hermannia depressa N. E. Br.; AM 1435 | Sterculiaceae | Phate eangaka | Shrub | W | 3.6 | M | Leaves | Colds, cough | Â |
Hyparrhenia hirta (L.) Stapf; AM 1482 | Poaceae | Umngcele | Grass | W | 4.3 | T | Leaves | Â | Â |
Hypoxis argentea Harv. ex Baker; AM 1499 | Hypoxidaceae | Ixalanxa | Herb | W | 5.8 | M | Bulb | Cancer, ringworm, TB | EVM |
Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch. Mey. & Ave-Lall.; AM 1524 | Hypoxidaceae | Inongwe | Herb | W | 24.6 | M | Bulb | Cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, immune booster, pimples | Â |
Ilex mitis (L.) Radlk.; AM 1480 | Aquifoliaceae | Isidumo | Tree | W | 8.0 | M | Bark | Sore throat, stomach problems | Â |
a Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.; AM 1428 | Convolvulaceae | Bhatata | Climber | C | 21.0 | F | Root | Â | Â |
aLactuca sativa L.; AM 1471 | Asteraceae | Ilethasi | Herb | C | 13.8 | F | Leaves | Â | Â |
Leonotis leonurus (L.) R. Br.; AM 1523 | Lamiaceae | Imvovo | Shrub | W | 8.7 | M | Leaves | Colds, cough, diarrhoea, snakebite | EVM |
Lippia javanica (Burm. f.) Spreng.; AM 1479 | Verbanaceae | Inzinziniba | Shrub | W | 11.6 | M | Leaves, roots | Chicken pox, colds, cough, wounds | Â |
Lobelia flaccida (C. Presl) A. DC.; AM 1522 | Campanulaceae | Itshilizi | Herb | W | 2.2 | M | Leaves | Abdominal pain | Â |
a Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.; AM 1521 | Solanaceae | tumata | Climber | C | 22.4 | F | Fruits | Â | Â |
aMalus domestica Borkh.; AM 1481 | Rosaceae | Apile | Tree | C | 10.1 | F | Fruits | Â | Â |
Malva parviflora L.; AM 1482 | Malvaceae | Ujongelana | Shrub | W | 1.4 | M | Leaves | Wounds | Â |
Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds.; AM 1483 | Lamiaceae | Inxina | Herb | W | 5.1 | M | Leaves | Wounds | Â |
Miscanthus capensis (Nees) Andersson; AM 1478 | Poaceae | Idobo | Grass | W | 4.3 | T | Leaves, roots | Wounds | M |
aMusa X paradisiaca L.; AM1503 | Musaceae | Â | Tree | C | 13.0 | F | Fruits | Â | Â |
aNicotiana glauca Graham; AM 1502 | Solanaceae | Icubamfene | Shrub | W | 5.1 | M | Leaves | Headache | Â |
a Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.; AM 1501 | Cactaceae | Itolofiya | Tree | WC | 24.6 | F | Fruits, leaves, whole plant | Wounds | M, O |
Pentanisia prunelloides (Klotzsch ex Eckl. & Zeyh.) Walp. ssp. prunelloides; AM 1411 | Rubiaceae | Irubuxa | Herb | W | 4.3 | M | Roots | Wounds | Â |
a Persea americana Mill.; AM 1459 | Lauraceae | Â | Tree | C | 11.6 | F | Fruits, seed paste | Ringworm | M |
a Phaseolus vulgaris L.; AM 1460 | Fabaceae | mbotyi | Herb | C | 19.6 | F | Fruits | Â | Â |
Phoenix reclinata Jacq.; AM 1469 | Arecaceae | Isundu | Tree | W | 3.6 | C | Leaves, whole plant | Â | O |
Phragmites australis (Cav.) Steud.; AM 1500 | Poaceae | Ingcongolo | Grass | W | 4.3 | T | Leaves | Â | Â |
aPhysalis angulata L.; AM 1470 | Solanaceae | Iyoli | Herb | W | 5.1 | M | Leaves | Burns | Â |
aPisum sativum L.; AM 1461 | Fabaceae | Erityisi | Herb | C | 15.9 | F | Fruits | Â | Â |
Pittosporum viridiflorum Sims.; AM 1420 | Pittosporaceae | Umkhwenkwe | Shrub | W | 12.3 | M | Bark, roots | Abdominal pain, cancer, fever | EVM |
Plectranthus ambiguus (Bolus) Codd; AM 1429 | Lamiaceae | Irhajojo | Herb | W | 5.8 | M | Leaves | Colds, cough | EVM |
Podocarpus latifolius (Thunb.) R. Br. ex Mirb.; AM 1511 | Podocarpaceae | Umcheya | Tree | W | 1.4 | EVM | Leaves | Â | Â |
Prunus africana Hook.; AM 1467 | Rosaceae | Umkhakhazi | Tree | W | 4.3 | M | Bark, leaves | Cough, eye problems, TB | Â |
aPrunus armeniaca L.; AM 1415 | Rosaceae | Â | Tree | C | 12.3 | F | Fruits | Â | Â |
a Prunus persica (L.) Batsch; AM 1512 | Rosaceae | Ipesika | Tree | C | 13.0 | F | Fruits, leaves | Eye problems | M |
a Psidium guajava L.; AM 1513 | Myrtaceae | Ugwava | Shrub | WC | 18.1 | F | Fruits, leaves | Diarrhoea | M |
Rhoicissus digitata (L.f.) Gilg & Brandt; AM 1468 | Vitaceae | Uchithibhunga | Climber | W | 7.2 | M | Roots | Headache, high blood pressure | Â |
aRicinus communis L.; AM 1466 | Euphorbiaceae | Umkakuva | Tree | W | 5.1 | M | Leaves | Stomachache | Â |
Salvia scabra L. f.; AM 1416 | Lamiaceae | Isicakathi | Herb | W | 1.4 | M | Leaves | Tonic | Â |
Schotia latifolia Jacq.; AM 1418 | Fabaceae | Umaphipha | Tree | W | 4.3 | T | Bark, stems | Diarrhoea | EVM, M |
Senecio speciosus Willd.; AM 1419 | Asteraceae | Idambiso | Herb | W | 5.1 | M | Leaves | Inflammations, wounds | Â |
Sida rhombifolia L.; AM 1465 | Malvaceae | Umdizawethafa | Shrub | W | 1.4 | M | Leaves | Wounds | Â |
Solanum aculeastrum Dun.; AM 1417 | Solanaceae | Umthuma | Shrub | W | 5.1 | M | Fruits | Boils, cancer, dysentery, impotence | Â |
aSolanum nigrum L.; AM 1430 | Solanaceae | Umsobo | Herb | W | 6.5 | M | Leaves | Ringworm, wounds | Â |
a Solanum tuberosum L.; AM 1444 | Solanaceae | Amazambane | Herb | C | 29.0 | F | Tubers | Â | Â |
a Sonchus asper (L.) Hill; AM 1445 | Asteraceae | Irwabe | Herb | W | 4.3 | F | Leaves | Â | Â |
aSonchus oleraceus L.; AM 1446 | Asteraceae | Ihlaba | Herb | W | 5.1 | F | Leaves | Â | Â |
a Spinacia oleracea L.; AM 1412 | Amaranthaceae | Imifuno | Herb | C | 54.3 | F | Leaves | Â | Â |
Sporobolus africanus (Poir.) Robyns & Tournay; AM 1431 | Poaceae | Umtshiki | Grass | W | 3.6 | T | Leaves | Â | Â |
Sporobolus fimbriatus (Trin.) Nees; AM 1436 | Poaceae | Umgigwi | Grass | W | 2.9 | T | Leaves | Â | Â |
Syzygium cordatum Hochst. ex C. Krauss.; AM 1443 | Myrtaceae | Umswi | Tree | W | 5.8 | M | Bark | Inflammation, pimples | Â |
a Taraxacum officinale Weber; AM 1463 | Asteraceae | Ikhokhoyi | Herb | W | 5.1 | F | Leaves | Â | Â |
Trichilia emetica Vahl; AM 1437 | Meliaceae | Umkhulu | Tree | W | 3.6 | M | Leaves | Wounds | Â |
Tulbaghia acutiloba Harv.; AM 1462 | Alliaceae | Isivumbampunzi | Herb | W | 4.3 | M | Leaves | Colic | Â |
Tulbaghia alliacea L. f.; AM 1442 | Alliaceae | Umwelela | Herb | W | 5.8 | M | Bulb | Boils, wounds | Â |
Tulbaghia violacea Harv.; AM 1464 | Alliaceae | Utswelane | Herb | W | 7.2 | M | Bulb | Cancer, TB | Â |
Typha capensis (Rohrb.) N. E. Br.; AM 1438 | Typhaceae | Ingcongolo | Herb | W | 6.5 | C | Leaves, rhizomes | Dysentery, STI | M |
aVitis vinifer L.; AM 1440 | Vitaceae | Umdiliya | Climber | C | 5.8 | F | Fruits | Â | Â |
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal; AM 1414 | Solanaceae | Ubuvuma | Shrub | W | 4.3 | M | Leaves, roots | Inflammations, TB, wounds | Â |
Xysmalobium undulatum (L.) W.T. Aiton; AM 1442 | Apocynaceae | Itshongwe | Herb | W | 5.1 | M | Roots | STIs | Â |
Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng.; AM 1537 | Araceae | Inyiba | Herb | W | 3.6 | M | Leaves | Wounds | Â |
a Zea mays L.; AM 1441 | Poaceae | umbone | Grass | C | 57.2 | F | Seed | Â | Â |
Ziziphus mucronata Willd.; AM 1413 | Rhamnaceae | Umphafa | Tree | W | 10.9 | M | Leaves | Chest pains, cough, dysentery, TB | EVM |