(Syncolostemon canescens)

Family Lamiaceae

Found in the northern part Of Kruger National Park

Grows to be about 1m in height

Has unusual violet-coloured 'eaves at the top of the flower.

Leeubekkie (Hermannia abrotanoides)

Family Malvaceae 

About 40cm in height

Found at Augrabies Falls National Park

Shepards Tree (Boscia albitrunca)

Family Capparaceae

Up to 7m in height and found growing in the arid regions of the Northern Cape.

The roots are ground into meal for porridge.

The species has a number of pollinators and is a source of food for various mammals, birds and butterflies. Livestock as well as other herbivores in savanna areas such as giraffe, gemsbok and kudu browse the tree. The tree is often a food plant for the larvae of butterflies (the family Pteridae-whites).

The root is pounded to make porridge. It is commonly used as a substitute for coffee or chicory. The root is also used to make a beer and to treat haemorrhoids. The leaves are nutritious and are often browsed by cattle, although the milk is then said to be tainted. An infusion of the leaves is used to treat eye infections in cattle. The fruits are used in traditional dishes and the flower buds as caper substitutes in pickles. It is said that if the fruits wither before the millet crop is ripe, the harvest will be a failure. Household utensils are made from the wood. If the wood is burnt, it is believed that cows will produce only bull calves

Info: http://www.plantzafrica.com/

Perdebos (Monechma genistifolium)

Family Acanthaceae

Found in the arid regions of the Northern Cape

Height: about 45cm

 

Tea made from the roots is used for stomach problems.

Blue-leaved Spike Thorn (Gymnosporia glaucophylla)

Family Celastraceae

A tree growing to the height of about 4m

Found in the Pundu Maria region of KNP

Dove Thorn (Tribulus cristatus)

Family Zygophyllaceae

Creeper with a small yellow flower found growing in the Upington region

Karoo Gousblom (Arctotis venusta)

Family Asteraceae

A small plant about 30cm in height

with very pale lilac coloured flowers.

Found in the Northern Cape