A survey and analysis of traditional medicinal plants as used by the Zulu; Xhosa and Sotho

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.

Full text

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. m onocotyledons 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 waarge-
neem en sekere potensieel doeltreffende of gevaarlike stowwe wat kenmerkend in families voorkom. word kortliks aange-
toon.
INTRODUCTION
Th e data on w hich this paper is based com e m ainly
from a literature survey con ducted by the author towards
the co mpilation of a Pharmacapoeia of Zulu Folk Medi
cine, w hich was initiated at the U niversity o f Zululand
by Dr A. H . Sco tt in 1986. X hosa and Sotho usage of the
plants, w hich is closely allied, has b een included. Data
from the author’s previous field work in Transkei and
lim ited personal in terviews w ith Zulu and X hosa tradi
tional h ealers is included and further data have been
abstracted from a list o f the Botanical R esearch Insti
tute ’s holdings of med icinal plants. The main sou rces of
inform ation on usage have been 1, A. T. Bryant, whose
work on Zulu m edicin e was originally pub lished in the
Annals of the Natal Museum in 1909 but later destroyed
by fire and republished in 1966 (B ryant 1966); 2, J.
Gerstner, w ho published his work on Z ulu plant nam es
and usage betw een 1938 and 1941 (Gerstner 1938, 1939,
1941); and 3, M aim Hulm e, w ho included Zulu u sage
and also illustrated her book (H ulme 1954). Watt &
Breyer-Brandwijk (1962 ) w as a lso co nsulted and addi
tional information on Sotho usa ge is from A. Jacot Guil-
larmod (Jacot G uillarmod 1971).
It wou ld be of great interest to compare the num ber o f
plant sp ecies u sed w ith the num ber o f plant spec ies
known to be available, but research in this field , em brac
ing both ecologic al and trading aspec ts, is b eyond the
scope of this paper. Compreh ensive 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.
toxic ity and active chemic al principles in the plants used
is also beyo nd the scope of the paper.
DISCUSSION OF LIST OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
A total num ber o f 79 4 plant spec ies with spec ific
usage known has been record ed. TTiese are grouped as
pter idopytes, gymnosp erm s. m on oco tyled ons and d ico 
tyle don s. T hey are arranged in alphabetic order accord 
ing to fam ily and within the fam ily alphabetically
according to gen us and spec ies. A ll plant nam es used in
the literature surveyed have been recorded and the names
listed have been updated according to Gibbs R ussell et
al. (1 985 , 198 7). Authors' names have been omitted
from the code d list to sa ve space so that u ses could be
tabulated and sim ilarities in the usa ge of related species
could be easily seen.
Plants of the same genus which cou ld not be identified
to sp ecies lev el have been counted as on e species un less,
as in the case o f the Plectranthus spp. illustrated by
Hulm e (19 54), it is quite evident that different species
are being referred to.
The species listed have been co ded accord ing to ail
ment. These ailm ents have been very broadly cate go
rized and determined largely by sy mpto m, as is tradi
tional treatment. Overlaps oc cur, as in the ca se o f
bladder and urethral disord ers, which have been classe d
by the author as a comm on renal ailm ent but could be
caused or affected by procreation-related ailments such
as sterility and venereal disease.
The p resence o f a know n or su spected to xic elem ent
recorded in the literature su rveyed is ind icated by an
asterisk in the coded list at the end o f this article. The
toxic elem ent may not alw ays be kno wn 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
ANALYSIS
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:
13 Orchidaceae
13 Fabaceae*
11 Liliaceae*
7 Rubiaceae
5 Euphorbiaceae*
4 Apiaceae
4 Acanthaceae
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:
7 Orchidaceae 3 Liliaceae*
4 Iridaceae* 3 Amaryllidaceae
5 Fabaceae 3 Rubiaceae
C. Venereal diseases (syp hilis and gono rrhoea) may be
treated w ith orally administered d eco ction s or, in cases
of discharge, m edicine may be inserted directly into the
penis or vagina in liquid form or as a pill o f pounded
leaves, and charred p owdered leav es or a poultice may
be applied directly to v enereal sores (Bryant 1966).
O f the 34 spec ies recorded as venereal disease rem e
die s, three or more occur in the fo llow ing five fam ilie s,
accoun ting for 19:
6 Liliaceae* 3 Fabaceae*
4 Asteraceae 3 Solanaceae*
3 Ranunculaceae*
D. Gynaecological remed ies include m edicines taken
regularly during pregnancy to ensure a safe delivery and
a healthy child . These may be mixtu res of various ingre
dients, usually roots (Gerstner 1941) or may be made
from the roots of a single plant, soaked in water, which
is drunk daily by the e xpectant mother. Also included are
medicin es adm inistered during childbirth, or for painful
or delayed menstruation, to stimu late breast de vel
opment or the flow o f m ilk, or to procure abortions.
O f the 78 species recorded, three or more occ ur in the
follo wing six fa milie s, accou ntin g for 37:
12 Liliaceae* 4 Ebenaceae*
10 Asteraceae* 4 Scrophulariaceae
4 Amaryllidaceae* 3 Euphorbiaceae*
O f the 78 species used for gynaeco log ical purposes,
38 are recorded as taken regularly during pregnan cy,
three or more o f w hich o ccur in the follo wing three fami
lies, accounting for 16:
8 Liliaceae* 3 Amaryllidaceae*
5 Asteraceae*
E. Newly-born infants are sometim es given pu rification
purges at birth and later at weanin g; these may be admin
istered orally or as an enem a. M ed icin es may be applied
to the n avel or fontanel at birth and others m ay be ap
plied to the mother's breast at w eaning. Som etimes
new ly bom infants are held in the smoke o f a burning
plant in a protective or purification ritual.
O f the 18 species recorded, seven occu r in Liliaceae.
Stress-related ailments (L -O in key and coded list of
plants)
(Note— the term stress-related is used here to refer to
ailm ents that are caused by p sych olo gical stress, a l
though there may be other c au ses.)
L. Headaches are con sidered by traditional healers to be
caused by em otion al or mental disturbance. They are
ofte n treated by snuffed or inhaled m edic ines and occ a
sion ally le ave s are wrapped around the head.
O f the 44 spec ies recorded, three or more come from
the follow ing five fam ilies, acountm g for 22:
6 Euphorbiaceae* 3 Fabaceae*
6 Asteraceae* 3 Asclepiadaceae*
4 Ranunculaceae*
M. Cardiac ailmen ts include high blood pressure, chesi
pain not associated with respiratory complaints and bad
dreams believe d to be caused by heart problem s (Bryant
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
4 Gentianaceae
4 Scrophulariaceae
4 Acanthaceae
4 Asteraceae*
3 Amaryllidaceae*
3 Caryophyllaceae

Bothalia 19,1 (1989) 113
1966). Treatment may be administered in the form of an
em etic or en ema.
Of the 21 s pecies recorded, three occu r in the fo llow 
ing tw o fa milie s, accou ntin g for six:
3 Liliaceae* 3 Fabaceae*
N. Nerxvus or psy chologic al ailm ents includ e hysteria,
mental disturb ance, nightmares, states of believ ed be
witch ment, states o f im purification after the death o f a
kraal m ember and states o f trance which need to be in
duced in the divin er to ena ble her to fulfil her function.
Emetics and sn uffed or inhaled medicin es are frequently
used for these purposes.
O f the 133 species recorded for nervous ailments,
three or more com e from the follow ing 12 fam ilies,
accou nting for 81:
16 Fabaceae*
Asteraceae*
Liliaceae*
Rubiaceae
Orchidaceae
Asclepiadaceae*
5 Indaceae*
4 Euphorbiaceae*
4 Apiaceae
3 Hypoxidaceae*
3 Sapindaceae
3 Solanaceae*
O. Pain producing ailmen ts include pain in the jo ints or
ba ck, rheumatism and also paralysis. A ltho ugh these
may o bvio usly not a lwa ys h ave a p sychologic al cause,
there is a traditional b elief that the jo ints are the most
vulnerab le area to the entrance o f evil spirits (N gub ane
1977) and conve rsion disorders often do take the form of
pain in the join ts and sometim es paralysis. Dried p ow
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 e metics are also used.
O f the 46 sp ecies recorded, three or more com e from
the follow ing fa milies, accountin g for 13:
7 Liliaceae*
3 Fabaceae* 3 Meliaceae*
Miscellaneous ailments (F -K and Q -Y in key and
coded list of plants)
F. Gastro-intestinal ailm ents include:
1. sto mach ache and con stip ation , w hich are treated
with e nem as or orally administered purges;
2, intestinal w orm s w hich are treated with orally
administered anthelmin tics or enem as;
3, diarrhoea and dysentery which are treated with an
orally administered med icin e, frequently followed by an
enema o f the sam e medicine;
4. n ausea or the accumulatio n of bile is treated with an
emetic;
5, in digestion , for wh ich sm all pieces of root, bark or
leaves may be chewed ;
6. haem orrhoids and a condition wh ich Bryant (1966)
and Ngubane (1 977) refer to as gangrenou s rectitis,
which is frequently treated with an en ema, or a locally
applied lotio n or powder and may also be treated with an
orally taken deco ction .
O f the 318 species recorded for gastro-intestin al com 
plaints, three or more occur in the followin g 35 fam ilie s,
accou nting for 252:
40 Asteraceae*
27 Liliaceae*
19 Fabaceae*
12 Rubiaceae
13 Euphorbiaceae*
11 Indaceae*
8 Lamiaceae
7 Crassulaceae*
7 Asclepiadaceae*
7 Convolvulaceae
7 Cucurbitaceae*
6 Ebenaceae*
6 Celastraceae*
5 Apiaceae
5 Myrsinaceae*
5 Verbenaceae
5 Solanaceae*
Poaceae
Cyperaceae
Amary llidaceae*
Polygonaceae
Amaranthaceae
Mesembryanthemaceae
Rosaceae
Geraniaceae
Meliaceae*
Anacardiaceae*
Scrophulariaceae
Aspidiaceae*
Ranunculaceae
Rutaceae
Sapindaceae*
Gentianaceae
Apocynaceae*
O f the 318 species recorded as ga stro -intestina l rem 
ed ies 4 6 are recorded as anth elmintics and 54 as diar
rhoea and dysentery remed ies. T hese s pecies m ay also
be used for other ga stro-intestinal purposes.
O f the 46 recorded anthelm intics, three or more occur
in the follo wing four fa milies, accou nting for 22:
8 Asteraceae*
7 Liliaceae* 4 Myrsinaceae*
3 Aspidiaceae*
O f the 54 recorded diarrhoea and dysen tery rem edies,
three or m ore occu r in the follo wing six fam ilie s,
accou nting for 30:
10 Fabaceae*
7 Iridaceae*
4 Geraniaceae
3 Sapindaceae*
3 Rubiaceae
3 Asteraceae
G. Renal ailments inclu de kidney and urinary tract com 
plaints. M edicine s may be orally adm inistered, som e
times fo llow ed by an enem a of the same m edicin e after
three days of treatment, or medicin es may be rubbed into
incisions cut in the lo ins or inserted directly into the
urethra or a poultic e may be applied externa lly.
O f the 44 species recorded for renal ailm ents, three or
more are found in the follow ing five fa milies, accountin g
for 19:
5 Amary llidaceae*
5 Asteraceae*
3 Liliaceae*
3 Apocynaceae*
3 Euphorbiaceae*
H. Debit it}' ailments in clud e general w eakness , a low
resistance to infe ctio ns, blo od impurities and a lack o f
appetite. They are treated w ith orally taken tonic s,
em etics or enem as.
O f the 58 species recorded for debility, three or more
co me from the follo wing six fam ilies, acc oun ting for 24:
8 Asteraceae
4 Euphorbiaceae*
3 Fabaceae
3 Apocynaceae*
3 Penplocaceae
3 Rubiaceae
I. Swellings or growths includ e sw ollen glands, scro fu
lous and d ropsical s we llin gs and external or internal
sw ellin gs or lumps wh ich may or may not be cancerous.
M edicines may be administered o rally, so metim es f ol
low ed by a pou ltice made from the same ingredients, or
po wdered m edic ines may be rubbed into incisions cut
around the swelling.
O f the 31 sp ecies used to treat sw ellings, three or more
co me from the follow ing two fa milies, accountin g for
eight:
5 Euphorbiaceae* 3 Asteraceae*

114 Bothalia 19,1 (1989)
J. Respiratory a ilments inclu de ch est pain from pleurisy
or bron chitis, coug hs, sore throats and asthma or catarrh.
They are freq uently treated with em etics, which perform
an expectorant function , or medic ines may be chew ed,
drunk, sn uffed , inhaled or rubbed in to in cisio ns on the
chest.
O f the 144 specie s recorded for respiratory ailm ents,
three or more com e from the fo llo wing 14 fam ilies , ac 
co unting for 92:
27 Asteraceae*
12 Fabaceae*
8 Euphorbiaceae*
6 Liliaceae*
5 Amaryllidaceae*
5 Apiaceae*
5 Lamiaceae
Verbenaceae
Rubiaceae
Phytolaccaceae*
Brassicaceae
Capparaceae*
Ebenaceae*
Celastraceae*
K. Febrile com plaints includ e influ enza , co lds and
fe vers , in cludin g malaria and rheumatic fev er. T hey are
frequen tly treated w ith em etics. Snuffed or inhaled
medicin es may also be adm inistered and the patient may
be steam ed or bathed to reduce the fever.
O f the 123 sp ecies in volved, three or more com e from
the follow ing 13 fam ilies, accounting for 82:
21 Asteraceae*
12 Fabaceae
10 Lamiaceae
6 Liliaceae*
6 Euphorbiaceae*
5 Rubiaceae
4 Amaryllidaceae*
3 Iridaceae*
3 Rutaceae
3 Amaranthaceae
3 Apiaceae
3 Scrophulariaceae
3 Lobeliaceae
P. Leprosy is usually now referred by traditional healers
to the hosp itals. O nly tw o remedies have been recorded
and they are from M elian thace ae and Passifloraceae.
Q. Toothache and sore gu ms are treated with lotio ns or
pow ders rubbed on to the painful area.
O f the 30 specie s recorded for toothach e, three or
more are from the follo wing three fam ilies, a ccountin g
for 12:
5 Solanaceae*
4 Asteraceae* 3 Euphorbiaceae’
R. Sorcery is believed to be the cause o f many illnesses
and certain plants are believed to be used by sorcerers to
bring about evil . The same plants may be taken as an
antidote to the disease thus brought about, usually in the
form o f an em etic.
O f the 16 specie s recorded as sorcerer's m edicin es,
three each are from the fo llow ing two fam ilies , account
ing for six:
3 Euphorbiaceae* 3 Apiaceae*
S. Snake bite rem edies may be taken or loc ally applied,
the sam e med icine often being adm inistered at the same
time in both form s. Dried groun d snakes’ heads are
so metim es an ingredient in the medicin e.
O f the 43 sp ecie s recorded, three or more co me from
the follow ing six fa milies, acco untin g for 20:
4 Thymelaeaceae*
4 Asteraceae*
3 Phytolaccaceae*
3 Fabaceae*
3 Euphorbiaceae*
3 Apocynaceae*
T. Skin com plaints include sores, w ounds, b ums and
rash es. Thes e c ompla ints may be treated by applied
lotio ns, p oultic es or washes. W ash es may also be give n
to reduce the tem perature in feve rs. Also included are
hair restorers.
O f the 100 specie s recorded, three or more come from
the follo wing 10 fam ilies , accountin g for 64:
Asteraceae*
Fabaceae*
Solanaceae*
Euphorbiaceae*
Liliaceae*
4 Amaryllidaceae*
4 Thymelaeaceae
4 Acanthaceae
3 Verbenaceae
3 Lamiaceae
U. Fractures, sprains and bruises may be treated with
lotio ns, or powder may be rubbed into scar ificatio ns as
an a nti-inflam mant around the site o f the dam age.
O f the 40 species recorded, three or more com e from
the follow ing three fam ilies, acco untin g for 12:
6 Asteraceae*
3 Euphorbiaceae* 3 Crassulaceae*
V. Ear, eye and nose com pla ints are treated with lotion s
or sap directly squee zed from the plants.
O f the 3 9 sp ecie s recorded, three or more co me from
the follow ing four fa milies, accounting for 19:
7 Liliaceae*
6 Asteraceae 3 Crassulaceae*
3 Rosaceae
W. Insecticides and piscicides includ e m edicines applied
to rid the body o f lice and fleas and those used to repel or
kill flies and tho se used to stun fish so that they may be
caught.
O f the 21 sp ecies recorded , three or more co me from
the follow ing tw o fam ilie s, accountin g for 12:
9 Fabaceae* 3 Asteraceae
X. Charms m ay be applied to placate e vil spirits, for
protection against enem ies and sto rms, for good luck or
to make the user liked . They may be bathed with, worn,
sprinkled or burnt in the hom e or field s or cultivated as
prote ctiv e plants.
O f the 182 species recorded , three or more com e from
the follow ing 14 fam ilies, acc ounting for 126:
27 Liliaceae*
18 Orchidaceae
15 Asclepiadaceae*
11 Asteraceae*
9 Amaryllidaceae*
9 Crassulaceae*
8 Iridaceae*
7 Fabaceae*
7 Euphorbiaceae*
6 Apiaceae
3 Rhamnaceae
3 Scrophulariaceae
3 Rubiaceae
Y. Animals may be given med icines to prevent or cure
disease . Also includ ed are m edicines applied as theft
deterrents, either in the field or on eggs or drying animal
skins.
O f the 102 spec ies used to treat or deter anim als, three
or more com e from the follow ing 11 fam ilies, a ccount
ing for 53:
11 Asteraceae*
9 Fabaceae*
7 Liliaceae*
6 Asclepiadaceae*
5 Lamiaceae
3 Amaryllidaceae*
3 Dioscoreaceae*
3 Urticaceae
3 Geraniaceae
3 Vitaceae*
It m ay be ob serve d (T able 1) that a mong the m ed
icin ally used plants recorded, a higher proportion o f
m onoco tyledons are used as extern ally applied charms
and for procreation-related purposes and that there is a
slig htly wider range of medicinal usage among the dic o
tyled ons. Further analysis revea ls that amon g the mon o-

Bothalia 19,1 (1989) 115
co tyle dons 43 % o f the specie s are used for procreation-
related ailm ents, 37 % as externally applied charm s and
26 % for p ossibly stress-related ailm ents whereas among
the d ico tyledons 27 % are used for procreation-related
ailments , 26 % for possibly stress-related ailments and
19 % as extern ally applied charm s. In both groups the
greatest proportion o f plants used for other ailmen ts are
used for gastro-intestin al purposes (32 % of m on ocotyle
do ns and 42 % o f dico tyledons) and respiratory ailm ents
(11 % o f m onocotyled ons and 20 % of d icotyledons).
This is reflected in Tables 2 & 3.
DISCUSSION
Perception o f aetiolo gy also determ ines treatment.
Acco rding to Bryant (1966) and Ngub ane (197 7), m ost
com m on ailm ents are belie ved to be ca used by an e xcess
of bile or g all, which needs to be r emoved. Diseases
believed to be c aused by evil spirits or p ollution also
require catharsis. T his exp lains the wid e use of em etics,
en emas and pu rgatives. A total o f 238 of the plants re
corded for this stu dy, i.e. 30 %, are used as em etics—
where use as an em etic has been recorded with no
sp ecific ailm ent, the plant has been considered to be used
for gastro-intestin al purposes. E metics are not normally
given to young children but en emas are and are consid 
ered by m edical staff to be the cause o f some o f the
poisonin g cases and liv er damag e seen in hospitals
(S avage & Hutchings 198 7). Forms o f administration are
not a lways recorded in the sou rces consu lted and more
plants are probably used for enem as than appear on the
list. S pecie s indicated as being used for children are
frequently admin istered in this w ay. Patterns o f usage
betw een clo sely related sp ecie s, such as the use of pteri-
dop hytes as anthelmintic s, O rchidaceae as love charm
em etics, R anun culaceae spec ies for hea dac hes, Thy me-
laeaceae specie s for skin complaints and snake bite or
Lam iac eae for febrile con ditio ns and various Asclepia da
ce ae for nervous co mplaints , are discernible in the list.
Su ch patterns o f usage could obvio usly indicate that
related plants share chem ical constituen ts, which would
in turn account for their p ossib le effectiven ess and/or
to xicity. S om e ch aracteristic fam ily constitue nts with
so me o f their likely effe cts and potential dangers are
given b elo w.
Widespread steroidal sapon ins, cardiac g lyc osid es in
som e of the Liliace ae and toxic alkaloids in the Amaryl-
lid aceae are among the poten tially dangerous con situ ents
found in m on ocoty ledonous pla nts, o f w hich so many
are used in the procreation-related ailmen ts. Steroidal
saponins may affect the sex horm ones and are relatively
harmless w hen taken by mouth but found high ly toxic if
they enter the blo od stream (Trease & Evans 1983 ). This
may happen if there is any da mage to the mucous lining
of the g astro-intestinal tract w hen enemas are adm inis
tered as, acco rding to N gubane (19 77), the dosa ge is
controlled to enab le the patient to retain the medicin e for
a time. This custom wo uld also make enemas made with
other to xic material more dangerou s than em etics as ab
sorption o f m aterial through the rectum is ea sier than
through the sm all intestine. Steroid or triterpenoid sapo
nins (which are co mm on in the d icotyledons) are often
found in the plan ts used as em etic s and have the property
o f foam ing and also frequently irritate the muco sa. Th is
may acco unt for their expectorant and decongestive
action whe n used for chest ailments. A nti-m icrobial, cy 
tostatic and anti-inflamm atory a ctivity have been demon
strated in saponins (Low er 1985).
Car diotonics, w hich can have a diuretic action by in
crea sing the renal blo odflow , may be found in mem 
bers o f variou s other fam ilie s apart from Liliaceae and
these in clud e Apocynacea e and Asclepiadaceae . Rubia
ceae and S olanac eae (see O liver-Bever 1 986). The d i
uretic action would be helpful in ca ses o f gonorrhoea and
also in variou s kidney or heart d iseases w hich cause
dropsical swellings. Various species o f the above-m en
tio ned fam ilies are used for venereal dis eases , renal com 
plaints, dropsical sw ellings or heart com plaints and may
be found effe ctive.
Th e toxic Am aryllidaceae alkaloid s produce gastro
intestinal upset (Jasp herson-Schib 1970). H igh ly tox ic
sp ecies are found in other alk aloid-conta inin g families
such as A pocynacea e, Solanaceae and Euphorb iaceae.
These sp ecies also ow e their effectiveness as purges and
their potentially dan gerous properties to extrem e gastric
irritation.
Antip yretic, protozoicidal and local anaesthetic pro
perties are to be found in many o f the W est African
sp ecies of the alkaloid-rich R ubiacea e fa mily (O liver-
Bev er 1986 ) and mem bers o f the family locally used for
febrile ailm ents would probably merit further in vestiga
tion. A lka loid s have a marked action on the central ner
vous system and can act as depressants (e.g. the sed ativ e
reserpine from Rauvolfia vomitoria A fzel.) or stim ulants
(e .g. the Strychnos alkaloids) which may accoun t for the
use of variou s species from fam ilies such as Euphor
biaceae and Solanaceae for nervous com plain ts.
Tannin has frequently been o bserv ed 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
of many o f the fam ilies thus used (e.g. Rosa ceae.
Fab aceae, Geraniaceae). It is likely to be e ffe ctive on
acco unt o f its protein-precipitating properties w hich, in
sm all do ses , would form a protective, imperm eable layer
and also tend to prevent the d evelo pment o f bacteria—
large d ose s wou ld irritate the mucosa (Fluck 1976 ).
The presence of volatile oils with possib le carminative
or antisp asm odic activity is likely to account for the use
of the close ly related L amiaceae and V erb enaceae and
other aromatic fam ilies for coughs, cold s, in fluenza and
digestive disorders.
The snake bite cures are interesting. M any are know n
to be either toxic or else close ly related to known tox ic
sp ecie s, notably from fam ilies where cardioactive toxin s
(M elian thaceae, L ogan iacea e, A pocy naceae and A sc le
piad aceae) or alkaloid s (P hytolac caceae, Solan aceae and
Asteraceae) are know n or else from fam ilies where cy to
toxic activ ity has been observed (Euphorbiaceae and
Thym elaeaceae).
More fieldw ork w ill undoubtedly reveal new usage of
plants as the practice of herbal m edicine is still very
much aliv e. Patterns obviously e xist in the usage of
plants, but the p erception th ereof is influenced by the
way in which the data are analysed and on the cultural

TABLI' 1.— Medicinal usage in pterid oph ytes , gymn osperms, mon ocotyled ons and dicotyle don s
116 Bothalia 19,1 (1989)
O
O
sO ^ vO »0 00
—
fN en
O cm
—« —- fN
O ' e n e n O ' T f
o on
SO
. Q.
o °
• 9 o
2 c O S
C E c o
2 ® o .2
£ 0 5 0
a
o
r - — « — O '
o f N i o r ' en
\C "*T e n en
s O / ) ( N en
(N Tf <N (N
o ^ w u
^ 2 (« (Q
t) > , « T3
o h o •—
ffl !1 £
‘•3 E *2 a
3 < i o
a> r- r- so T t cm m o ^ r
fo f N fN »—• fN r -
r o c o fN fN <N <n —< r r o
n (N fN —* fN *—* —• csj tj-
— \ £ ^ ^ 0 0 <N n (N (N 0 0 ( N fN
fN CM 00
en \ o *-« en (N <n
— fN SO CO (N O ^ n »0 *-h Tf
—• fN so
«O OI Cn|
fO tJ- — fN
fN en f N «-* «—i
-noo fN
— f N —■
*— en f N — ^ t f N O r o
en «—I co fN
fO fN fN
^-« a o ^ 'O fN fN n o — «
r^n^ ( N *H fN ^ - H ^ ( N o o ro
S S2 a
a g o
— P-
« 3 5 § &S.2 3-S.s.a S
S ^ o.-2 73-Sej2 0 = ^ «
j — — — w._íí;í5-<=*í
L.waa.^fljcaoG^a^
OU,UJ<<>-JcAc/2<Qfi< o
H
: see key to ILst of medicinal plants.

Bothalia 19.1 (1989) 117
perceptions of the researcher. Nevertheless, plant usage
is patterned, and these patterns deserve further investiga
tion.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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.
REFERENCES
BRYANT, A. T. 1966. Zulu medicine and medicine-men. Struik. Cape
Town (originally published in 1909 in the Annals o f the Natal
Museum).
FLÚCK. H. 1976. Medicinal plants. Rowson& Foulsham. London.
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.
GERSTNER. J. 1941. A preliminary checklist o f 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 of the Botanical
Su ney of South Africa No. 56.
HULME. M. M. 1954. Wild flowers o f Natal. Shuter & Shooter.
Pietermaritzburg.
JACOT GUILLARM OD, A. 1971 Flora o f Lesotho. Cramer. Lehre.
JASPERSEN-SCHIB. R 1970. Toxische Amary llidaceen. Pharma-
ceutica Acta Helvetica 45: 424—433.
LOWER. E. S. 1985. Activity of the saponins. Drug and Cosmetic
Industry 135: 39—44.
NGUBANE, H. 1977. Body and mind in Zulu medicine. Academic
Press, London.
OLIVER-BEVER. B 1986 Medicinal plants in tropical West Africa.
Cambridge University Press. Cambridge
SAVAGE. A & HUTCHINGS. A 1987 Poisoned by herbs. British
Medical Journal 295: 1650-1651
TREASE, G. E. & EVANS. W. C. 1983 Pharmacognosy. 12th edn.
Bailliere Tindall. London
WATT. J. M. & BREYER-BRAN'DWIJk. M. G. 1962. The medicinal
a rut poisonous plants of southern and eastern Africa. 2nd edn.
Livingstone, London
LIST OF ZULU MEDICINAL PLANTS
Key to ailaents:
A - Sexual
B - S te rility
C - Venereal
D - 6ynaecoloqical
E - Netaly born infants
F - bas tro-intestm al
6 - Renal
H - Tonic
1 - 6ro»ths
J - Respiratory
K - Febrile
L - Headaches
R - Heart
N - Nervous
0 - Pain producing
F - Leprosy
S - Dental
R - Sorcery
S - Snake-bite
T - Skin
U - Sprains, fractures
V - Eyes, ears and nose
M - Insecticidal
I - Char»
Y - Animal
a - Includes use as anthe ln nt ic
c - Includes eneaa administration
d - Includes use against diarrhoea
e - Includes use as an eie tic
l - 6iven to infants or children
p - Taken regularly during pregnancy
r - Rubbed into scarific ation s
s - Snuffed or inhaled
* - Toxic
PTERIDOPHYTA
ADIANTACEAE
Adiantui capii lus-v en ens
Chei1anthes hirta
Cheilanthes viridis
ASPIDIACEAE
Dryoptens athaaantica*
Dryopteris inaequalis
Polystichui sp.
CYATHEACEAE
Cythea dregei
DENNS T AED TIACEAE
Pt end iui aquilinua*
EQUISETACEAE
Equisetui raaosissiaua*
6YHN0SPERHAE
STAN&ERIACEAE
Stangeria enopus
2AfllACEAE
Encephalartos a lten steinn 'A e
Encephalartos villosus*
AN6I0SPERNAE - «OKOCOTYLEDONAE
ABARYLLIDACEAE
Aaaocharis coranica*
Apodohnon sp.
Boophane disticha*
Brunsvigia spp.* 6
Cllvia aimata* B
Cllvia nobilis*
Cllvia sp. Ae
Crmua bulbisperaua
Crinua delagoense
Crinua aacoiani;
Crinua aoorei
Crinua sp.
Cyrtanthus breviflorus Ae
Cyrtanthus contractus
Cyrtanthus aackenn
Cyrtanthus obliquus B
Cyrtanthus stenanthus
Cyrtanthus tu ckn
Haeaanthus albiflos
Haeaanthus coccineus*
Scadoxus au lti floru s* Ae
Scadoxus pumceus* Dp Fe
AR ACEAE
Acorus caiaaus*
Col ocasia antiquorua*
Stylochiton natalense
Zantedeschia alboaaculata'
ARECACEAE
Phoenix reclinata
COWEL INACE AE
Coaaelina africana B
Cyanotis speciosa A
CYPERACEAE
Cyperus esculentus
Cyperus longus'
ABCDEF6HIJKLHN0PQRSTUVHIY
J K Ls
J K
D Fa
Fe Ls
Fc6
Fi&c
&
Jec Lee N Oec
J K
T
T
S T
6c 1 J
n n
D F
Fi

118 Bothalia 19,1 (1989)
Cyperus sexangularis Fi
Cyperus sp. B F
DIOSCOREACEAE
Dioscorea div er sifo lia N
Dioscorea dregeana Dp N
Dioscorea duaentorua*
Dioscorea rupicola
Dioscorea sylvatica*
HYPCXIDACEAE
Eipodiui p lica tui J N
Hypoxis ge rra rdii Fd
Hypoxis lat ifo lu* AeB 6 NeNe
Hypoxis rooperi L
Hypoxis sp. Fa N
IRIDACEAE
Aristea cogaata
Ans tea ecklonn Jc Kc
Aristea xoodn
Belaicanda chinensis
Belaacanda sp.
Crocosna aurea
Crocosna pam culata
Croccsaia p ottsn
Dieraaa pendulua
Dietes in dioid es
Gladiolus aurantiacus
Gladiolus dalem i*
Gladiolus papilio
61adiolus sence o- villosus
Gladiolus spp. E
Hesperantha baurn
Hesperantha lactea
Hesperantha sp.
floraea sp.
floraea spathulata*
Sparaxis grandillora
Tritom a disticha
Tritonia hn eata
Tritom a sp.
Katsoma densiflora
F
Fd
Fdc
Fdc
D Fdc
Be Dc Fdc
F
F
Fdc
E
ErFi
E Fi
Fc
E Fia
E Fi
E Fi
Fa
E Fi
Dp F 6
Kic
LILIACEAE
Agapanthus africanus* Ae DpE Je fleNe
Agapanthus praecox A D
Albuca spp.* C Fa
Alee arborescens D
Aloe candelabrua
Aloe cooperi
Aloe ferox
Aloe gracilis
Aloe laculata
Aloe aar lo thn
Aloe ses sili fl ora
Aloe sp. B D
Aloe spectabilis
Aloe tenuior
Aloe thra skn
Benma retic ul ata Ae
BoNiea volubilis* Ae
Bulbine alooides C 0
Buibine frutescens Ne
Bulbine lat ifolia Cc FdG N
Bulbine sp. F
Chlorophytu* lodestua*
Dipcadi brevifoliua* H
Dipcadi sp.
Dipcadi virlde C
Dr uia robusta* Kc
Dr m opsis laculata Fi
Eriosperiui aackenn
Eriosperaua sp.* B Fe
Eucoais autuanalis* C Dp Fi 5 JeKec
Eucons coaosa
Eucoais sp. f
6as teria croucheri
Gloriosa superba* AeB
Haworthia lia ifolia F
Kmphofia buchanann
Kniphofia 1 ax i f lor a j
Kmphofia parviflora
Kniphofia rooperi j
Kniphoha uvaria Dc
I
J
J
I Y
Oc
0 O ic
0 0
Ledebouria cooperi Dp
Ledebouria ovatifolia* Dc
Littoma aodestat Ae
Hyrsiphyllua asparagoides Ae
Drnithogalua longibracteatua*
Protasparagus sp.
Protasparagus virgatus Ae C
Sandersonia aurantiaca* Ae
Sanseviena hyacinthoides
Scilla natalensis* Dp
Scilla nervosa*
Sailax kraussiana
Trachyandra gerrardii E
Tulbaghia alliacea A
Tulbaghia natalensis
Tulbaghia violacea Ae
Urginea altissn a*
Urginea delagoensis*
Urginea aacrocentra*
Urginea physodes* Dp
ORCHIDACEAE
Acrolophia cochlearis Ae
Ansel 11a gigantea Ae
Brachycorythis ovata
Brachycorythis sp.
Coryciua nigrescens
Cyrtorchis arcuata Ae
Disa icon11oides Be
Disa polygonoides
Disa stachyoides
Disa versicolor
Eulophia angolensis Ae
Eulophia clavicornis 1 B Dp
Eulophia clavicornis 2
Eulophia clavicornis 3 B
Eulophia cucullalata AeB
Eulophia ensata Ae
Eulophia leontoglossa
Eulophia ovalis AeB
Eulophia pete rs ii
Eulophia sp.
Eulophia speciosa
Eulophia tenella B Dp
Eulophia «elmtsc hii Ae
Habenana dives
Habenana dregeana
Habenana epipactidea
Habenana sp. B
Hystacidiua ail la r n Ae
Hystacidiua venosua Ae
Oeceolades aackenu Ae
Polystachya ottomana A
Satynua bracteatua
Satynua longicauda
Satynua parviflo rua Ae
Fi
Fdc
POACEAE
Ccix lacryaa-jobi
Cyabopogon aarginatus
Cyabopogon excavatus
Cyabopogon vahdus
Eragrostis plana
Iaperata cylind nc a
Se ta na aegaphylla
TYPHACEAE
Typha capensis
2IN6IBERACEAE
Kaeaofeua sp.
Siphonochilus aethiopica
Siphonochilus natalensis
AN6I0SPERMAE - DICOTYLEDONflE
ACANTHACEAE
Adhatoda densiflora
Ba rlen a ovata Ae
Blephans capensis*
Crabbea hirsuta
Crabbea nana
Hypoestes an stat a
Justlcla Hava
Faie
F
Fe
6 D H
F
C Do
J N
J K
fi Sr
G S
I
I Y

Bothalia 19,1 (1989) 119
Peristrophe hensn V
Thunbergia at rip lic ifo ha ET
Thunbergia dregeana AT
Thunbergia natalensis Ae
Thunbergia venosa Ae N
AIZOACEAE
flizoon canariense Fe
Corbichoma decuabens Fe
AHARANTHACEAE
flchyranthes aspera Fe He
Achyropsis avicu la ns Fe Ke T
Achyropsis leptostachya Fe Ke
Herabstaedtia odorata F
Pupal la atropurpurea Ke
Pupalia sp. B
ANACARDIACEAE
Harpephyllui caffrua Fe He
Ororoa paniculosa* Fed Jc Y
Protorhus longifolia* « Or R T
Rhus chiridensis N
Rhus laevigata Fi
Sderocarya birrea* F He U I
ANNONACEAE
Annona Senegalensis Fe N
Honanthotaxis caffra Nse Ï
APIACEAE
Alepidea aaatyabica FJcKs 0 I
Alepidea long ifo lia J
Anethua graveolens NRI
Berula erecta* K
Bupleurua aundtu Ae
Foeniculua vulgare Ae NRI
Heteroaorpha tr ifo ll ata* Fad I J Ls N I Y
liche ns teim a interrupta* Fc J K NRJ
Lichenstemia tolbeana Fc J
Piapine lla caffra Ae Fa I
Piapinella sp. Ae
APOCYNACEAE
Acokanthera oblongifolia* Fa SeT Y
Acokanthera oppositifo lia* Fa6 H Sesr Y
Catharanthus roseus 8 H IT
Oreinotls inandensis Ae N
RauvoHia caffra* Dp F 8 H I Ke I
Strophanthus g er ra rdii ' I
Strophanthus petersianus* I
Strophanthus speciosus* Ss Y
Nrightia natalensis E
AQUIFOLIACEAE
11 ex aiti s Fi Ke TI
ARAL 1ACEAE
Cussoma spicata C Fe Ke
ASCLEPIADACEAE
Asdepias cucullata I
Asclepias c ultrif orais I
Asdepias fle*uosa I
Asdep ias fruticosa* Dp Fi Je L
Asdepias gibba S
Asdep ias aeliodora I
Asdepias physocarpa* Ec I
Asdepias sp .' BY
Ceropegia «aoodi l Ne
Cynanchua obtusifoliua* Ne I
Huernia hystrix I
Huernia sp. I
Orbea variegata I
Pachycarpus intonstans FLs Ns J Y
Pachycarpus nata lensis FY
Pachycarpus scaber I Y
Sarcosteaaa viainale* D E Fe V
Schi:oglossua atropurpureua I
Secaaone gerrardii Fc H Or u
Secaaone sp. Ae
Sisyranthus huttomae N
Sisyranthus saundersiae Ne
Sisyranthus tncho stonu s Ne
Staoelia gigantea NeOr U
Tylophora flanaganii F
Kysaaiobiua involucratua
lysaaiobiua so.
Xysaalobiua undulatua F H Ls Ne T
ASTERACEAE
Achyrochne stenoptera Ns
Adenosteaaa caffrua Ae Fi K
Arteaisia afra F H Ks
Aspiha natalensis Fde JeKc T
Aster bakeranus* C Fi5 J K L NS T Vs
Aster serrulatus FN
Aster spp. LSe
Ath rma phylicoides F H J
Berkheya rfiapontica J
Berkheya seainivea Fe
Berkheya sp. 6 He T U V
Berkheya speciosa Fc6 V
Berkheya subulata Fi V
Bidens pilosa Fcdr Or
Bluaea alata F
Brachylaena discolor Fa H J N
Brachylaena elli ptica Dp Fe Je N 0 S
Calli lepis laureola* B Dp Fa Ni
s
Cony:a podocephala J K T
Conyza scabrida JrKc
R
Ur
Conyra ula ifolia
J
Cotula antheaoides Fi K
Crassocephalua rubens Fe
Dicoaa anoaala D Fad Hie
JQ
T M
Dicoaa sp. JNr
Dicoaa speciosa J
Dicoaa zeyheri J
Eclipta prostrata* Ae R
Ethuh a conyzoides Fa
Felicia erigeroides Fac
6a:ania riaens Ae
Berber» aabigua Fa J
6erbera piloselloides Fa J Ks V
Helichrysua cooperi r
Helichrysua decorua Ns
Helichrysua foetifiua r. r
Helichrysua nudifchua Fi JeKs (is T U
Helichrysua oxyph/llua i
Helichrysua peour.culatua J IT
Helichrysua pilosellua Fi
Helichrysua see. D F T
Matricaria mgellifoha * KT Y
flelanthera scanflens Fe
Bicroglossa aesp ilifoiia I K
Mikama capensis C 6 K Ls T Y
Hikar.ia natalensis C Ls T Y
Nioorella sp. S U
Osteosperaua grar.dioentatua Fe
Osteosperaua iabricatua Fe Ke
Osteoioeraua jucurdua F
Csteosperau* scanosua Fe
Ot*ionna natalensis Fa H Y
Pentzia p iluhfera T
Phyaasperiua acerosua I
Platycarpha gloaerata I
Printria pyrifolia* D F Ic ti Y
Pulicaria scabra D H I rV
Schistostephiua hiponfoliua k
Senecio iupieuroioes* Dp J «
Senecio erubescers Fc j K
Senecio mornatus J *
Senecio lanceus Dp
Senecio oxyriifohus 6 K f;r Y
Senecio quinquelcbus F J kc I
Senecio serratuloifles* H J &T
Senecio sp. C Jc e
Senecio speciosus br J r Ls U
Senecio taaoiOes Fc Y
Sp: 1 ant ties aauritiana fi
Ursima antheaoides a
1‘rsinia sp. V
Ursima tenuiloba
Vernoria aioensis F J Her U a
Vernonia angulifoha Fc
Vernonia liirsuta F J Ls
Vernonia aesp ilifoh a Ae k
Vernonia natalensis I
Vernonia r.eocoryabosa Dp F * Y

120 Bothalia 19.1 (1989)
Ve rno nia o lig oce ph ala
Ve rno nia s p.
BALAN ïIACEAt
Balanites aaugha»;l
BALANOPHORACEAE
Sarcophyte sanguinea
BALSAM INACEAE
lapatien s hochstetteri
BE60NIACEAE
Beqoma sp.
Begonia sutherlandn
BIENONIACEAE
Kiqe lu africana*
B0RA6INACEAE
Cynoglossui hispidu»
Hvosotis afropalu stris
BRASSICACEAE
Heliophila subulata
Lepidiua capense
Lepidiua pinnatua
Lepidiua sctun zn
Lepidiua sp.
CACTACEAE
Rhipsalis baccifera
CAHPANULACEAE
Nahlenbergia grandiflora
Nahlenbergia sp.
Mahlenbergia undulata
CAMELLACEAE
Narburgia salutaris
CANNABACEAE
Cannabis sativa
CAPPARACEAE
Cadaba natalensis
Cappans br as sn
Cappans toaentosa*
Cleoae aonophy11 a
CELASTRACEAE
Cassine aethiopica
Cassine crocea*
Cassine sp.
Cassine transvaalensis
Catha edulis*
Haytenus heterophylla*
Haytenus spp.
Pteroc elastrus rostratus
Salacia 1ep toe 1ada
CHENOPODIACEAE
Chenopodiua albua*
Chenopodiua aabrosioides*
CLUSIACEAE
Hypencua aethiopicua*
COMBRETACEAE
Coaoretua apiculatua
Coabretua caffrua
Coabretua erythrophyllua*
Coabretua hereroense
Terainalia phanerophlebia
Terainalia sericea*
COKVOLVULACEAE
Convolvulus farmosus
Ipoaea fi cifol ia
Ipoaoea cairica*
Ipoaoea congesta
Ipoaoea crassipes
Ipoaoea purpurea
Herreaia trid en tata
Fd I
Je
Fc6 JsKec T U
DsE
Je
Je
H I Jes Lr
Fdc
Fe
Fee
F
Fde
Fc
S U M
CD F be T V
Fe
F
F
F
Fds
F
F
Turbina oblongata
CRASSULACEAE
Cotyledon orbiculata*
Crassula alba
Crassula barbata
Crassula dependens
Crassula aulticava
Crassula orbicularis
Crassula sarcocaulis
Crassula sp.
Crassula vaginata
Kalanchoe crenata
Kalanchoe nr. pamculata
Kalanchoe rotundifo lia'
Kalanchoe sp.
Kalanchoe th yrsif1 ora*
CUCURBITACEAE
Coccima palaata
Cucuais africanus*
Cucuais hirsutus*
Cucuais aynocarpus*
Cucuais sp.*
6errardanthus aacrorhizus
Lagenaria sphaerica*
Hoaordica balsaaina*
Hoaordica foetida
CUNONIACEAE
Cunoma capensis
DIPSACAEAE
Cephalaria attenuata
Cephalaria zeyheriana
Scabiosa coluabana
EBENACEAE
Diospyros pal lens
Diospyros villosa
Diospyros ahyteana*
Eudea crispa*
Eudea divinorua
Eudea natalensis*
Eudea schiapen
Eudea sp.
Eudea undulata
EUPHORBIACEAE
Acalypha pedunculans
Acalypha punctata
Acalvpha sp.
Andrachne ovalis*
Andrachne sp.
Antidesaa venosua*
Brldelia cathartic a
Bn del ía aicrantha*
Cavacoa aurea
Clutia affim s
Clutia heterophylla
Clutia hirsuta
Clutia platyphylla
Clutia pulchella'
Clutia sp.*
Croton gratissiaus*
Croton sylvaticus*
Euphorbia bupleur ifoha
Euphorbia ingens*
Euphorbia nr. aoodn
Euphorbia pugm forais
Jatropha hirsuta
Jatropha zeyheri
Hargaritaria discoidea*
Honademua lugardae*
Phyl 1 anthus aeyenanus
Phyllanthus ret iculatus
Ricinus coaaums*
Spirostachys africana*
Synademua cupulare*
Tragia aeyeriana
FABACEAE
Abrus precatorius*
Acacia caffra
T U V I
Fde
Fe
Fe
Fe
Fe
Ks Ne
Dp Fac
NeOc
H 1
H I
Ae D
J
Fc
F
FcScH IsJr
Dp Fc
Je
Fed
Fc H K
F
E Fdi L
F 6r IrJrKce
F 6rH IrJrKce
Fi He
J K L
T V
N 0
N I
Y
I Y
I Y
T
Ti Vs
a
r

Bothalia 19,1 (1989) 121
Acacia gerrard ii Nees Sebaea grandis Ae
Acacia karroo Fdi Ne Sebaea sedoides Ae Fi
Acacia nilotica JSebaea sp. Ae
Acacia rehaanniana Oc T
Acacia xanthophloea Ke GERANIACEAE
Afzelia quanzensis TSeramua ornithopodon
Albizia ad ianthifolia* Ae FT V ftonsonia eaarginata Fd
Al bizla forbesii NPelargomua luridua Fd
Albin a sp. Kc Pelargomua sid ifoliua C Fd
Albn ia suluensis* Kc NPelargomua spp. Fd
Alysicarpus rugosus JeKe
Argyrolobiua sp. T6ESNERIACEAE
Argyrolohiua aarginatua FStreptocarpus pro lu us
Argyrolobiua natalense Ae Streptocarpus sp. D
Argyrolobiua speciosua Be
Argyrolobiua stipulaceua S 6REYIACEAE
Argyrolobiua toaentosua Ne 6reyia Sutherland!! Fe
JsKi
J K
Y
I Y
I Y
Calpurnia aurea
Calpurnia villo sa
Cassia f1 orlbunda
Cassia italica *
Cassia aiaosoides Fd
Cassia occidentalí s* F
Cassia sp.
Crotalana lanceolata*
Cro ta la ru sp.*
Dalbergia obovata Ae
Diallua s ch lechten
Dichrostachys cinerea
Elephantorrhiza elephantina'fle C
Elephantorrhiza sp.*
Entada spicata Cr
Erioseaa cordatui A B
Erioseaa distinctu a B 6
Erioseta salignua B
Erythrina caffra* C 6
Erythrophleua lasianthua* F
Indigofera cylindrica Fa
Indigofera eriocarpa Fd
Indigofera hila ris* Fd
Indigofera aicrantha Fa
Indigofera spp. Fd
Indigofera tenuissiaa*
Indigofera velutina Fd
Lonchocarpus capassa* Fd
Lotus discolor
Racrotyloaa ax111 are
Hi llet tia grandis
Hundulea sencea*
Nentoma hildebrandtn
Oraocarpua tnchocarpua
Peltophorua africanua Be
Psoralea pinnata
Rhynchosia nervosa Ae
Rhynchosia sp. A
Schotia braehypatala Fd
Sphenostylis angustifolia Fe
Tephrosia capensis* Fe
Tephrosia densiflora*
Tephrosia diffusa*
Tephrosia elongata Fe
Tephrosia grandiflora
Tephrosia kraussiana
Tephrosia lurida Ae
Tephrosia aaeropoda*
Tephrosia purpurea*
Tephrosia toxicana *
Tephrosia vogeln
Vigna luteola Ae
Vigna unguiculata Ae
Vigna ven lla ta Ae
Zornia capensis
FLACOURTIACEAE
Dovyalis rhaanoides
6errardina fo lio sa Dp
Hoaaliua dentatua F
Tn ae ria g randifolia Fc
Xy1otheea kraussiana Ae
6EWTIANACEAE
Chironia purpuraseens f
Sebaea bojeri Ae
Sebaea crass uhf olia Fd
J K
N
N 0
M Y
« Y
I
U I
I
Bi S
Fdce J Ke
her
NeNe
KsLs N
J K
J
Ls fl N
J K
K
I! L
HAL ORA6ACE AE
Sunnera perpensa
ICACINACEAE
Apodytes diaidiata
Pyrenacantha grandiflora Ae
Pyrenacantha scandens
I Y
ILLECEBRACEAE
Dianthus crenatus
Pol 11 chi a caap es tn s
Silene bellidioides
Silene burchellii
A B Dp
LAMIACEAE
Beciua knyanua
Beciua obovatua
Leonotis leonurus
Leonotis ocyaifolia
leucas aartimcens is
Nentha aquatica
Bentha lon gif olia
Plectranthus aaoiguus
Plectranthus hadiensis
Plectranthus laxiflorus
Plectranthus udagascariensis
Plectranthus sp.
Plectranthus sp.
y Plectranth us sp.
Pycnostachys reticulata
Salvia scabra
Stachys nigricans Ae
Syncolosteaoii densiflorus Ae
Syncolosteaon parviflorus
Tetradenia riparia
Teuenua kraussn
LAURACEAE
Cryptocarya la tif oh a
Ocotea bullata
LECYTHIDACEAE
Barringtoma raceaosa*
LENTIBIH.ARIACEAE
Utn culana livida
Y Utricularia preh en silis Ae
LINACEAE
Linua thunbergn
LOBELIACEAE
Cyphia elata
Lobelia coronopifolia
Lobelia erinus
Lotielia patula
Honopsis decipiens
Honopsis scabra
L06ANIACEAE
Buddleia salv nfo lia*
Nuna f 1 oribunda
Nuiia oppositifo lia A
Stryehnos decussata
Strychnos henmngsu*
Stryehnos spinosa
Fi T
Fd JcK Ls Se Y
FKY
Ki
KI
J KcL
K
Fc 1 Y
Fc Kc aY
Fc JT
K
K
Fi He
F E Je*
H
Ls Or
Ke
I Y

122 Bothalia 19,1(1989)
LORANTHACEAE
Enantheaua dregei
MALPIWIACEAE
Acridocarpus natal lt iu s
MALVACEAE
Hibiscus aethiopicus
Hibiscus pedunculatus
Hibiscus pusillus
Hibiscus suratten sis
Si da dregei
Thespesia acutiloba
MELASTONATACEAE
Oissotis canescens
MELIACEAE
Ekeoerqia capensis
Tnc hilia dregeana
Tri chilu eaetica*
Turraea floribunda*
Turraea obtusifolia*
HELIANTHACEAE
Bersa«a lucens*
Helianthus eoaosus*
Helianthus dregeanus*
HENISPERMACEAE
Cissaapelos lucronata
Cissaapelos sp.
Cissaapelas torulosa
Stephama abyssinica
MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE
Aptenia cordifoil a
Carpobrotus edulis
Delosperaa velutinua
Meseabryantheaua so.
MCSACEAE
Ficus ingens
Ficus natalensis
Ficus sur
Ficus sp.
MYRICACEAE
Myrica serrata
HYRSINACEAE
Eabeha ruainata*
Maesa alm folia
Maesa lanceolata*
Maesa sp.
Rapanea aelanophloeos
HYRTACEAE
Eucalyptus sp.
Eugenia albanensis
Heteropyxis natalensis
Syzygiua cordatua*
Syzygiua gerrardii
OCHUACEAE
Ochna natalitia
Ochna serrulata
OLEACEAE
Jasainua aultipartitu a
Jasainua sp.*
01 ea europaea
OIALIDACEAE
Oxalis seailoba*
PASSIFLORACEAE
Adenii guaaifera*
Basananthe sandersonn
PEDAL IACEAE
Ceratotheca triloba
PERIPLOC ACEAE
Ae
B D
Fae H J
Fed
Fd6c
Be
Fee
Ne0
Oc
NeNeOe
S T U V
S
Fic
Fib
Fe
Fee Ir NeQr
} K L
Fa H
Fa
Fae
Fa
Fee )
Fe i
)
6 J L
Fe H Ke M P
D F
Mondia nhitei
Raphionacae sp.
Tacazzea apiculata
PHYTOLACCACEAE
Phytolacca aaencana*
Phytolacca dodecandra*
Phytolacca heptandra*
Phytolacca octandra*
PITTOSFORACEAE
Pittosporua virid iflorua
PLANTA61NACEAE
Plantago aajor
PLUMBA6INACEAE
Pluabago auriculata*
POLYGALACEAE
Polygala fruticos a
Polygala galpin ii
Polygala ho tte ntotta
Polygala serpentaria
Polygala sp.
Polygala virgata
POLY6QMACEAE
Eaex aus tralis
Oxygonua dregeanua
Polygonua lapathifoliu a
Polygonua sali ci fo liua
Ruaex lanceolatus
Ruaex sag ittatus
PORTULACACEAE
Portulaca quadrifida
Talinua caffrua
PTAEROIYLACEAE
Ptaeroxylua obhquua*
RANUNCULACEAE
Aneaone caffra
Cleaatis brachiata
Kno»ltonia aneaonoides
Ranunculus aultifid us *
Ranunculus sp.
Thaiictrua rhynchocarpua
RHAHNACEAE
Bercheaia discolor
Bercheaia zeyheri
Helinus integrifo lius
Rhaanus prmoides
Ziziphus aucronata
ROSACEAE
Agnaoma eupatoria
Leucosidea sericea
Prunus africana*
Rubus ludm gii
Rubus pinnatus
Rubus ngidu s
RUBIACEAE
Agathisantheaua bojeri
Burchellia bubalina
Canthiua ciliatua
Canthiua inerae
Catunaregaa spinosa*
Coddla rudis
Conostoaiua natalense
Gardenia cornuta
Gardenia term folia
Gardenia thunbergia
Gardenia volkensu
Hyperacanthus aaoenus
Kohautia aaatyabica
Lagynias lasiantha
Oldenlandia aff ims
Oldenlandia coryabosa
Oldenlandia sp.
Pavetta spp.
F H
Fa H 1
H
Fe
G
F 6c
I JKe
S T
S
S T
Fee H
DpE Fd
Ke N Oc
Ls Ne
Dp G H IsJ
Fc
Fi I Y
B D FaidH
F
Fe
Fci
J K Ls 0 a
It
Es
Fee
Fae
E Fd 6
Fdi
K Ls
Ls
I i Ls
Ls
I Y
I Y
I
H J
1 Je
o a
u
T U
AeB

Bothalia 19,1 (1989)
Pentanisia prunelloides C Dp Fc H I J K * 0 S T U
Pentodon pentandrus Fe
Psychotria capensis Fe
Rubla cordifo lia AeB D FJn a
Speraacoce natal ensis Fd Jn ti T
RUTACEAE
Calodendrua capense
Clausena anisata EsFac Ki HsNeO
Vepns undulata FKe
Zanthoxylui capense BFac H IsJei Or Q S T
Zanthoxylua davyi HJ K Ser
SALVADORACEAE
Aziaa tetracantha 8
SANTALACEAE
Osyridicarpos schiaperianus
SAPINDACEAE
Cardiospertui tialicacabua* CFdc H Js T
Deinbolha oblongifolia Fd N
Hippobroaus pauciflorus* Ae Fd Ls Ne V
SAPOTACEAE
Sideroxylon inerae Kc Ne Ur
SCROPHULARIACEAE
Buchnera dura Ae
Cycmua raceaosu* DOe
Cycniu* tubulosua Ae
6raderia scabra Aes D Fc KT
Ha llena lucida V
Harveya speciosa FNU
Hanulea parviflora Fi
Peliostoaua calycinu» Fi KT
Sutera floribunda DJ
Sutera kraussiana D
Sutera sp. Ke Ns
Zaluzianskya aa nti aa Ae
SELA6INACEAE
Hebenstretia sp.
Selago sp. Sr U
Tetraselago natalensis C
SOLANACEAE
Datura aetel* Ls N T
Datura straaomua* I Ls N T U
Physalis peruviana* Fi
Solanua sp.* BF
Solanua acanthoideua T
Solanua aculeastrua* Gr J Ur
Solanua aculeatissiaua*
s
Solanua capense C6;S T Vr
Solanua giganteua J
Solanua incanua* - T
Solanua aau ntianua* Fe
Solanua nigrua* Fi Or T
Solanua panduriforae aT
Solanua toaentosua
c
a I
123
Mithama soanifera* C Fi I J Ki Nc TY
STERCULIACEAE
Doaoeva rotundifolia Fc fi
Heraanma depressa Ae Fd J N I
Heraanma gran distipula Y
THYflELAEACEAE
6mdia anthylloides* J Ks Ns S
6nldla calocephala T
Bnidia cuneata HKc
a
S T
5md ;a kraussiana* Do Fc J0SY
Bnidia pclyantha Ae T
Bnidia spp. HS I V
TIL IACEAE
Corchorus asolem foliu s A
6re*ia caffra 6c
6rem a occide ntahs D 6c T I
Triuaf etta pilosa T
Triuaf etta rnoaboidea Dp
TRIHENIACEAE
Jyaalos aonospora F
ULNACEAE
Chaetacae aristata* F
a
Treaa orie nt alis Fe
URTICACEAE
Laportea grossa Y
Laportea peduncularis Y
Pouzolzia aixta Kc I
Urtica urens BY
VERBENACEAE
Clerodenarua glabrua Fa&e J K Y
Clerodendrua hirsutua Fa !
Clerodenarua ayricoides S
Clerodendrua suffruticosua S
Clerodendrua triphyllua Dp 6c I
Lantana rugosa Fi JT V
Lippia javanica FJ K T
Friva co rdifolia T V
Vitex rehaannu Fc JN
Vitex ail asn )NeOc
VIOLACEAE
Hybanthus er.neasoeraus H
Hybanthus sp. Ae
VISCACEAE
Viscua so. Fi iN G T
VITACEAE
Cissus quadrangulans Y
Cyphosteaaa hypoleucua Kc
Cyphosteaaa lamgerua
a
Cyphosteaaa natallti ua Y
Rhoicissus toaentosa* Y
Rhoicissus tridentata* BDp KI