Heteromorpha arborescens
Synomym(s): Heteromorpha trifoliata
Family: Apiaceae
Common name(s): Parsley tree (Eng.), Wildepieterseliebos (Afr.), Serethe (Tswana), Muthatha-vhanna (Venda), umBangandlala (Xhosa & Zulu)
- Leaves and (b) bark of H. arborescens
Description: small to medium-sized, deciduous tree or straggly shrub, growth ranges from 2-6m and can grow up to 25m. The bark often helps to distinguish it from other species, for it is papery and smooth, peeling off horizontally and leaving ring-like scars below. When new, these have a surface like the finest satin. Found in forest on forest margins or rocky outcrops.
Leaves are variable in size and shape and may be simple to variously compound; grey-green, turn yellow and red in autumn smell of parsley when crushed, hence the common name.
Flowers are small green or yellow, strong-smelling, inconspicuous and arranged in umbels.
Flowering time: December-January.
Fruits are small, creamy brown and are winged with two wings on the one side and three wings on the other side and they form from April onwards.
Origin: It occurs in the eastern regions of South Africa, from the southern Cape up through Eastern Cape and eastern Free State, Kwazulu-Natal, Swaziland into Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. It also occurs further north in Africa.
Uses: The main use of the plant is to treat abdominal pains and intestinal worms in children with an infusion of leaves used as an enema. It is also used to treat nervous and mental disorders. A decoction of the root is used to treat shortness of breath, coughs and dysentery. Smoke from the burning plant is inhaled to treat headaches. The tree is planted with charm intent in every lekhotla (meeting) in Free State, Basutoland. It is also planted in the kraals of chiefs in Lesotho to ensure the loyalty of the people. Africans use the roots as an aphrodisiac. The Xhosas make musical bows of it.
Propagation: Heteromorpha trifoliata grows easily from seeds.
References:
- Pooley, E. 1993. The complete field guide to trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. Natal Flora Publications Trust.
- Van Wyk, B-E., Van Oudtshoorn, B. & Gericke, N. 1997. Medicinal plants of South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
- Van Wyk, Braam & Van Wyk, Piet. 1997. Field guide to trees of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.
- https://pza.sanbi.org/heteromorpha-arborescens Accessed 10 January 202
- https://www.randomharvest.co.za/South-African-Indigenous-Plants/Show-Plant/PlantId/62/Plant/Heteromorpha-trifoliata-abyssinica Accessed 10 January 2024.
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