Eswatini's Flora - siSwati Names and Uses
Compiled by Chris Long, © December 2005
SiSwati names and uses, arranged by alphabetically by botanical name:
| Aristea phayimashimane, | |
| abyssinica | |
| Cultural: | Good luck. Protective charm. |
| Medicinal: | Medicinal for sprains. |
| angolensis subsp. angolensis | |
| ecklonii | |
| Cultural: | Good luck. Protective charm. |
| Medicinal: | Medicinal for fevers, coughs, venereal disease. |
| galpinii | |
| gerrardii | |
| woodii | |
| Cultural: | Good luck. Protective charm. |
| Ansellia | |
| africana (Leopard Orchid) imfe-yenkawu, lesimthubi, lesisikati, liphakama, sicadze lesisikati, sicadze lesumtfubi, sihlati, | |
| Cultural: | Plant brings good luck. Love charm and antidote to bad dreams. Lightning protection. |
| Medicinal: | Roots are medicinal widely used for asthma. |
| Aerangis | |
| mystacidii | |
| Cultural: | Love or protective charm. |
| Amaranthus imbuya, | |
| caudatus * | |
| Medicinal: | Leaves have abortifacient properties. |
| Food: | Edible leaves |
| hybridus * (Pigweed) isheke, lisheke, | |
| Food: | Edible leaves. A traditional, nutritious vegetable crop. |
| subsp. cruentus * | |
| subsp. hybridus var. erythrostachys * | |
| subsp. hybridus var. hybridus * | |
| spinosus * (Pigweed) imboziso, imbuyabatfwa, isheke, lesicadze, lisheke, sicadze lesumtfubi, | |
| Medicinal: | Roots have antihelminthic properties. Leaves treat urethral discharge. |
| Food: | Edible young leaves fresh or dried. Zulus regard as a famine food. |
| thunbergii (Pigweed) insheke, | |
| Medicinal: | Leaves stimulate uterus contractions at childbirth. |
| Food: | Edible leaves |
| Aerva | |
| leucura | |
| Food: | Leaves eaten by Bushmen in Namibia. |
| Achyranthes | |
| aspera * (Burrweed) layobe, lenamo, | |
| Medicinal: | Chest pains & stomach ache |
| Food: | Parts eaten in the Transkei. |
| var. aspera * | |
| var. pubescens * | |
| var. sicula * | |
| Alternanthera | |
| pungens * (Paper Thorns) ikhungele, | |
| sessilis * (Joseph's Coat) imbuya, | |
| Food: | Edible leaves |
| Aizoon | |
| canariense | |
| Food: | Edible as spinach. |
| Aptenia | |
| cordifolia (Baby Sun Rose) libohlololo, umjuluka, | |
| Cultural: | Love charm. Protection against sorcery |
| Medicinal: | Poultice, deodorant & anti-inflammatory. Bark gives body protection. |
| Anredera | |
| cordifolia * | |
| Food: | Edible tubers |
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