Sutherlandia frutescens

Sutherlandia frutescens (cancer bush,[2] balloon pea, sutherlandia, phetola ("it changes") in seTswana, and insiswa ("the one that drives away the darkness") in isiZulu; syn. Colutea frutescens L., Lessertia frutescens (L.) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning) is a southern African legume once used as a traditional medicine. It is a shrub with bitter, aromatic leaves. Red-orange flowers appear in spring to mid-summer.[3]

Sutherlandia frutescens
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae
Subfamily:
Faboideae
Tribe:
Galegeae
Genus:
Sutherlandia
Species:
S. frutescens
Binomial name
Sutherlandia frutescens

Cultivation
Habitat, Richtersveld

Sutherlandia frutescens is a small bush growing up to about 1 m (39 in) high. It is native to dry parts of southern Africa, preferring full sun but tolerant of a wide variety of soil types. It is a tough plant, hardy, fast growing and drought tolerant but short lived. Seeds germinate readily in around two to three weeks and established plants self-seed readily. Seedlings may be vulnerable to damping off, but provided it is in well-drained soil, it grows readily and is not very vulnerable to pests.[3]

Traditional uses

Despite Sutherlandia frutescens having been used by a wide variety of indigenous communities throughout South Africa, the South African Herbal Science and Medicine Institute (SAHSMI) is participating in discussion of bio-prospecting in order to be able to claim intellectual property rights concerning the use of Sutherlandia extracts.

References
  1. "Sutherlandia frutescens". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2008-03-03.
  2. "Sutherlandia frutescens". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  3. Phakamani M' Afrika Xaba & Alice Notten (April 2003). "Sutherlandia frutescens". Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.


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