26 research outputs found
MEDICINAL PLANT USE OF VILLAGERS IN THE MOPANI DISTRICT, LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
Background: An ethnomedical survey of plants was conducted at Mashishimale village near Phalaborwa, in Limpopo Province (South Africa). Owing to high level of poverty and lack of proper daily operational healthcare facilities in certain parts of Mashishimale village, the use of plants as medicine persists. The aim of the study was to compile a list of medicinal plants used by traditional health practitioners for treatment of diabetes mellitus and other ailments.
Materials and methods: Traditional health practitioners were identified using the snowballing sampling technique. Structured interviews were conducted and a list of medicinal plants compiled. Data collection included local names of the plants, the plant parts used in the traditional medicine, the disease treated by the plant-based remedies and the method of preparation of the medicines.
Results and discussion: A total of 49 plants species belonging to 20 different families we identified. Plant parts used in preparation of remedies by practitioners are roots (51%), stem barks (30%) and leaves (19%). The most preferred methods of administration were boiling (74%) and infusion (12%). About 14 plants species were indicated for treatment of diabetes mellitus, while most plant species were indicated for sexually transmitted diseases, fertility and erectile dysfunction.
Conclusion: The results of the survey indicate that plants play a significant role in primary healthcare of the community of Mashishimale Village. It would seem that a number of major diseases/ailments are treated by traditional methods. Scientific investigation is therefore needed to isolate active compounds and to determine safe dosages for treatment. These studies may guide the regulation of herbal medicine industry in South Africa.
Key words: Ethnobotanical, Medicinal plants, Mashishimale villag
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Ethnobotanical Profile of Indigenous Tree Species Protected within Dryland Agricultural Farming System
Department of BotanyConservation of biodiversity on dryland agricultural farms, forests,
and protected areas is likely to backup future livelihood options. The main
objective of this research was to investigate the ethnobotanical importance
of indigenous trees protected within agricultural farming system of Mutale
local municipality. Tree layer of indigenous species were recorded and
classified into families, parts used and their utilization purposes. Twenty
two agricultural fields were visited and nineteen species were recorded.
The 19 species were classified into sixteen families with Fabaceae,
Combretaceae, Capparaceae being the dominating families. Sclerecarya
birrea belonging to Anacardiaceae family was the plant species which was
well represented in the agricultural farming fields, occurring in 21 farms,
followed by Adansonia digitata (19 farms) which belongs to Malvaceae
family, and Boscia albitrunca (16 farms), Maerua angolensis (15 farms)
which both belong to the Capparaceae family. Shade use category amongst
tree species protected within agricultural fields was the dominant category
followed by medicine, food, demarcation fence, fodder, and firewood.
Protection of these indigenous trees within agricultural fields will go a long
way towards conservation of declared protected and endangered speciesUniversity of Vend
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Leaf architecture characters of Vachellia tortilis (Forssk.) Galasso and Banfi along longitudinal gradient in Limpopo Province, South Africa
Department of BotanyThis paper looked at the leaf architecture characteristics of Vachellia tortilis to determine if either there is or not an effect of the tropic line on plants. Vachellia tortilis leaves were sampled
along a national road (N1) in Limpopo province. Sampling points
were set 10 km apart away from the Tropic of Capricon in opposite directions. Leaf morphology revealed that leaves of V. tortilis are
bipinnately compound with alternate arrangement. The venation
pattern of the pinnules was eucamptodromus and brochidodromous
with imperfect reticulation. Areoles were imperfect and pentagonal
or irregular in shape.NR
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Medicinal plants used in the treatment of livestock diseases in Vhembe region, Limpopo province, South Africa
Traditional medicine (TM) is very important among Venda speaking people but the available literature
does not cover the ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) uses. Open ended questions and group focus
discussion were used to investigate the knowledge of EVM in the region. Thirty-seven (37) individuals
with an average age of 48.2 years were interviewed of which 24 were males and 13 females. EVM
practices involved the use of plants as remedies collected from the wild and prepared mainly as
infusions and decoctions for internal use and leave sap for local applications. Cattle, followed by sheep
and goats were predominantly owned by old men who treat by themselves their livestock for worm and
tick infestations. There were 47 indications in total prepared from leaves, followed by bark of 34 plant
species belonging to 22 plant families. The families with more species were Fabaceae (6 species),
Asteraceae and Rubiaceae (3 species each) and, Combretaceae and Euphorbiaceae (2 species each).
Literatures on laboratory investigations have shown that some of the plants recorded possess multiple
biological properties. Further studies on chemical composition and subsequent biological properties
are required for validation purpose
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Population biology of Elaeodendron transvaalense Jacq. in the presence of harvesting
Elaeodendron transvaalense Jacq. is one of the medicinal
plant species commonly used by people in the Venda region. The species is known to treat a variety
of diseases. It is widely used and important to traditional healers. Because of this, it found its
way into the muthi markets, and it is among the seven most commonly traded plant species in the
Venda region. This study investigated the impact of bark harvesting on the population structure of
this species. The study revealed that although the level of bark harvesting is high, the species is
able to resist that stress since it is a fine-grained species. The population also showed the
ability to regenerate as it exhibited an inverse J-shaped curve. The crown health status was
generally good although some individuals, contributing 9% of the sample, had dead crowns, which are
a cause for concern. A linear relationship was noticed between areas harvested and stem
circumference, which is understandable considering the large surface area of harvestable bark on
bigger individuals
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Impact of Ethnobotanical Utilization on the Population Structure of Androstachys Johnsonii Prain in the Vhembe Area of the Limpopo Province, South Africa
Department of BotanyDue to high levels of impoverishment, rural communities in southern African are highly dependent on their surroundings
to sustain their livelihood. However, the rampant harvesting of Androstachys johnsonii Prain. In Vhembe area is a cause
for concern although its conservation status is of Least Concern. Androstachys johnsonii is a tree species used for a variety
of purposes in the Vhembe Area of South Africa to maintain households. Thus in order to obtain baseline data to propose
ways of preserving the species, an investigation was launched to determine the extent of usage of A. johnsonii at Matshena
village and document its population structure via stem size classes, crown health and plant height classes. Results indicate
that this tree species is being used for a variety of purposes by inhabitants, with 65% of trees surveyed showing signs of
harvesting. Due to its extremely durable hardwood this species is mostly used for fencing, roofing, pillar construction, and
as firewood. Additional ethnobotanical uses include fodder for goats and cattle and medicinal purposes. Of the 353 A. johnsonii trees measured, the majority (27%) are in the 0-10 cm stem size class, and nearly 88% are lower than 5 m in height.
Trees mostly had crowns with some extent of damage, and were to a large degree multi-stemmed. From the above, it is clear
that A. johnsonii is in dire need of formal (legislative) and traditional (tribal) protection if the population is to be managed
in a sustainable manner for the preservation of future generations. It is suggested that this species be elevated in discussions
with provincial environmental authorities, and community elders and chiefs be informed about the long term ecological
and environmental consequences that current unsustainable harvesting practices will have on this multi-use species
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A Review on Yellow Peeling Plane (Brackenridgea zanguebarica Oliv.): A Critically Endangered Endemic Plant Species
Department of BotanyDepartment of Plant ProductionBrackenridgea zanguebarica Oliv. is among the most popular and frequently used tree species in
Vhembe District, Limpopo Province of South Africa. However, the increasing illegal overexploitation
coupled with the reproductive inefficiency have caused a severe depletion of this plant population
bringing the species on the verge of extinction. B. zanguebarica, commonly known as “yellow
peeling plane” and locally known as “Mutavhatsindi” is an important tree usually used both for
medicinal and magico religious purposes in the region. This most sought after species is a critically
endangered species with its distribution in South Africa restricted to Thengwe village in Vhembe
District municipality. It is therefore crucial to develop various propagation protocols in order to
increase the availability of this species and expand its distribution area in the region. Despite therisk of extinction and the multipurpose uses, there is a lack of scientific knowledge about many
aspects of this plant species. This study revealed that mostly bark is being collected for medicinal
use. The aim of the current study was to compile up-to-date scientific information about this
critically endangered plant species to promote its conservation. In view of the importance of
conservation of such a red-listed plant species, the present review focused on various aspects
necessary in strengthening its conservation strategies.DOI: 10.9734/ARRB/2018/448
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Seed Germination and Seedling Establishment of Securidaca Longerpedunculata (Polygalaceae)
Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen. (Polygalaceae) is a multipurpose tree valued for its medicinal uses in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Hence, it is threatened due to human pressure which affects its regeneration potential since it is uncultivated. This poses a challenge in efforts aimed at its conservation. The objective of the present study was to investigate the germination potential of Securidaca longepedunculata seeds which have a very low and erratic germination under natural conditions. Seeds were collected in Nylsvley Nature Reserve and a number of pre-treatments, namely seed coat removal, sulfuric acid, gibberellic acid, boiled water, cold water and control were tested for their efficiency to improve germination under field, laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The results showed that some of pre-treatments have a stimulating effects on seed germination and seedling growth. Removal of the seed coat resulted in the highest germination percentage. This pre-treatment gave 90% seed germination under greenhouse conditions, while it was 63.3% for those grown in the laboratory, whereas untreated seeds under field conditions showed 0% germination. Boiled and cold water pre-treatments did not improve seed germination. The average heights of seedlings from different pre-treatments ranged from 4.5 cm to 22 cm with the highest seedling (22 cm) obtained in seed pre-treated with 400mg/l of gibberellic acid. It is concluded that removal of the seed coat is the most effective pre-treatmentUniversity of Vend
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Detecting threats to Encephalartos transvenosus (Limpopo cycad0 in Limpopo province, South Africa through indigenous knowledge
Department of BotanyIndigenous knowledge contains valuable information which is often essential to biodiversity and species conservation.
The traditional knowledge of people in local communities can enhance conservation policies and planning and also reveal
local perspectives in relation to endangered species. Cycads as a vascular plant group contain the highest percentage of
threatened plant species, at global, regional, national and community levels. In this study we focused on Encephalartos
transvenosus Stapf & Burtt Davy, a cycad species endemic to Limpopo province in South Africa. Despite every effort to
conserve this highly endangered species the threats keep increasing and the population keep decreasing. Through indigenous
knowledge, we discovered a location of this species not yet conserved within Vhembe district on the Soutpansberg mountain
range in Limpopo province, South Africa. Practices such as bark harvesting, and uprooting of young seedlings were
discovered at this population. All these practices noticed at this location are detrimental to in situ conservation of the cycads.
This study hereby revealed that indigenous knowledge has a great role in cycads’ conservation. Through the local
communities, factors that are threatening cycads existence can be determined and the local community can also be integrated
in effective conservation plan that discourage illegal harvesting of cycads.Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the National Research Foundation through the South African Research Chair Initiative (SARCHI) for Biodiversity Value and Change at University of Venda, South Afric
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The Dynamics on the Ecology of Pterocarpus angolensis DC
Pterocarpus angolensis is a tree species that is extensively used
for its medicinal bark and good quality wood in South Africa. Its demand
has resulted in some local extinctions in distribution area, leaving very
few viable populations in natural areas. The current study was looked
at the status of a pristine population located in the Lowveld National
Botanical Garden, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Data on population
parameters such as basal stem circumferences, plant height, and crown
health estimates were collected from 16 transects of 100 m x 5 m. Results
showed a healthy population that displayed an inverse J-shaped curve as
analysed from some of the parameters sampled. More individuals found
within the 0-50 cm stem circumference size class is an indication of a
population with a healthy base for recruitment. Most of trees were in the
6.1-8.0 m height class which is a sign of a population with a good number
of individuals in fruits bearing stage. High levels of canopy damage are
an area of concern, since it impacts on the vigour of the population. It
is concluded that this is a healthy population of P. angolensis, which
could serve as a source of propagules in re-forestation programmes. It is
recommended that the population be closely monitored for any signs of
human disturbance, which would negatively influence its health