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
This is a medium to large deciduous tree that grows to about 10 metres high. The lavender tree has drooping foliage. The leaves are narrowly elliptic and are arranged spirally. They are shiny dark green above and paler green below, slightly hairy to hairless when mature. When crushed they produce a strong lavender scent. The leaf petiole is slender and pink over the lower half. The main stem is crooked and sometimes fluted. The bark is distinctively pale grey, often almost white and is flaking on the old stem. The flowers, which are yellowish green, appear in summer (December - March). They are very small, about 3 mm in diameter, and are borne in branched terminal clusters. They are sweetly scented. The fruit is a small oval capsule that is up to 4 x 2.5 mm. It appears between March and May. Its colour is shiny brown and it bears numerous seeds. When ready, it splits into 2 to 3 valves releasing the seeds, after which the old capsules may remain on the tree for months. The wood is hard, very fine grained and is pale pinkish brown in colour. It is suitable for use as fencing posts and charcoal. Leaves are used in herbal tea and potpourri and to scent tobacco. 1 References:
1 South African National Biodiversity Institute. (2002). Heteropyxis natalensis Harvey.