Lesertia frutescens
Lesertia frutescens
Afrikaans: Kankerbossie, kalkoentjies
English : Sutherlandia
IsiXhosa: Umwele
Description and diagnostic features
It is a beautiful biannual. Its bright flowers make quite a show in winter. Often to be seen next to the road in the Karoo in winter.
Part used
Leaves, seeds, and peeled roots are used.
Freshly dug roots are pealed and dried and a snuff is pounded from it.
Leaves are dried and can be used as a tea but they should not be older than a season.
Uses
The plant and its parts are used as a snuff or infusion to heat up the body. At the initial stages of catching a cold when blankets don’t help to warm up this tea is called for.
Warning
Only works while fresh or extracted in a non-oxidised state. If it no longer creates heating up of the body then it is no good.
Habitat
It grows well on west facing hills where there is a bit of extra runoff from rain.
Propagation
Grows well from seed but they have to be planted very shallow and watered daily for ten days before they show. Any break in the watering can cause them to dry out and die.
