Yellow Mouse-whiskers (Cleome angustifolia)

Family Capparaceae

They grow to about 1.5m in height and are found in most bushveld areas.

Large numbers of plants may appear after the rains.

Info: Flowers of South Africa (Braam van Wyk)

Weeping Wattle (Peltophorum africanum)

Family Caesalpinioideae

Also called African Wattle.

 

 These are medium in height reaching up to about 10m.

The bark is chewed and used medicinally to relieve colic, an infusion is taken orally to relieve a variety of stomach disorders.

The soft heartwood is used for carving.

Info: Trees of Southern Africa (Palgrave)

Bluewaterlily (Nymphaea nouchali)

Family Nymphaeceae 

The flowers are sweetly scented and it is found in fresh-water pools, pans and dams throughout Africa.

Tubers are boiled or roasted by the rural people as a vegetable, they are spongy and rather tasteless. The whole plant has medicinal uses.

Info: Flowers of South Africa (Braam van Wyk)

Black Thorn (Acacia Mellifera)

Family Mimosoideae

A small tree up to 8m in height occurring in dry bushveld.

 The hooked thorns can be a pest when walking in the bush as you just detach yourself from one and the other gets you. :)

The pods, young twigs, leaves and flowers are highly nutritious and gladly sought after by cattle and game.

The wood is used as fuel and the dark heartwood becomes almost black when oiled and highly polished.

Info: Trees of Southern Africa (Palgrave)

Large Witchweed (Striga elegans)

Family Scrophulariaceae

A small plant of about 10-12cm in height occurring in grasslands.

Info: Flowers of South Africa (Braam van Wyk)

Wild Peach (Kiggelaris africana)

Family Flacourticeae

They are small to medium trees with greenish-white flowers but it was too late in the season to get pictures of them.

The fruit is eaten by birds but not palatable for humans.

The Tembu people believe that this tree should not be touched as it attracts lightening but the Sotho use parts of it for a potion to protect their homes.

 The wood is pink and hard and suitable for making rafters, agricultural implements and furniture.


It provides a pinkish dye and hydrochloric acid.

Natal Primrose (Thunbergia atriplicifolia)

Family Acanthaceae

They are small plant, growing no more than 40cm high and have a milky latex.

The plant is covered with fine hairs and flowers profusely after bush fires.

Various parts are used in traditional medicine. A hairwash is prepared from leaf or unripe fruit.

Info: Flowers of South Africa (Braam van Wyk)