The National Indigenous Knowledge Management System
Future systems that will be available via the NIKSO Portal include the IK Register of Designations.
Highlights
Summary
*IKSDC - Indigenous Knowledge Systems Documentation Centre
Full Details
Operations provided by NIKMAS are as follows:
- African Traditional Medicine
- Food Security
Pharmacopoeia

Featured Plant
Senna italica, previously known as Cassia italica, is a perennial creeping shrublet up to 60 cm high. Stems radiate from a woody rootstock. Taproots are present. Leaves are compound with pinnate veination. There are approximately four to six oblong leaflets per leaf arranged spirally and alternately. Flowers of S. italica are bright yellow to yellowish-white. Flowering usually takes place during the rainy season, but flowers can appear throughout the year in moist conditions. Flowers are followed by flat, rounded to oblong and often slightly sickle-shaped pods. The fruit may contain as many as 11 seeds. Seeds are usually olive, green or black in colour. References: 1 Van Wyk, B-E. and Gericke, N. (2007). People’s plants: a guide to useful plants of southern Africa. Briza, Pretoria. 2 Van Wyk, B-E. and Wink, M. (2004). Medicinal plants of the world. Briza, Pretoria.