ArticleSome weedy plant species have competitive advantage over other species found growing in the same
habitat due to their efficient utilization of mineral resources, adaptability to the environment and
comparative high fecundity. They are often caught in the web of conservation policy which causes the
indiscriminate eradication of these species without consideration for other potential economic
importance. This review elucidates the medicinal importance of weedy species found growing in South
Africa. Twenty four plant families and 34 species were implicated in the treatment of twenty one
diseases and sicknesses by the different natives of South Africa. The importance of this work on the
future management of weedy species is briefly discussed