Clausena anisata
Introduction
Clausena anisata is a very neat and attractive small tree, that gives off a strong scent that is considered by many to be unpleasant; when the leaves are crushed, it smells like horse urine, as its Afrikaans common name, perdepis, describes. The cause of this smell is also the reason for its numerous healing properties.
Description
Description
Clausena anisata is a small, fast-growing, deciduous tree or a shrub, 3–5 m tall, but it can grow up to 10 m high. The young parts are covered with fine hairs. The bark is thin, grey-green and smooth, becoming brownish with age. The 300 mm long leaves are compound, with about 11 to 37 leaflets, arranged alternately to sub-oppositely. The leaflets are ovate to narrowly elliptical, with a marked asymmetric, rounded base, an obtuse or notched apex and entire margins, with no stipules present at the base. The leaf surfaces are densely covered with embedded, pellucid glands that produce a strong aroma when bruised. The inflorescence is a panicle, borne in winter and spring, from July to November in South Africa. The flowers are scented, bisexual, regular, with 4 sepals about 1 mm long, 4 petals that are 3 to 7 mm long, elliptical, concave and cream to yellowish-white. The 8 stamens have filaments 2 to 6 mm long, which are thickened at their base. The fruit is an ovoid, fleshy berry , 3.3 to 7 mm in diameter, red or purplish-black when mature, containing 1 to 3 seeds, borne in spring and early summer (August to January).
Conservation Status
Status
According to the Red List of South African plants, Clausena anisata was given the status of Least Concern (LC). This is because it is widely spread across the world.
Distribution and habitat
Distribution description
Clausena anisata is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is found only in high rainfall regions, in riverine forest, savanna, thicket, secondary forest and disturbed areas. This tree is distributed up to an altitude of 3 000 m. Clausena anisata occurs from Guinea and Sierra Leone eastwards to Ethiopia, the Sudan and southward to South Africa, where it occurs in the Eastern and Western Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, only absent from the driest regions. Outside the mother continent, it can be found growing in India, Sri Lanka and South East Asia, extending all the way to northeastern Australia and some islands in the Pacific.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
History
There are 25 species under the genus Clausena but only this one occurs in South Africa. This genus was first described in 1768 by a Dutch botanist named Nicolaas Laurens Burman and named after the Norwegian priest Peder Claussen Friis (1545–1614)who was the translator of the Icelandic historian and poet, Snorri Sturluson. This particular species is named for the aniseed-like scent or taste of the leaves.
Ecology
Ecology
It produces yellow flowers in spring, and they attract insects which in turn attracts the insect eating birds. The ripening fruits, which turn from red to black, are much loved by birds and small mammals, this is how the seeds are dispersed. It is a host of several swallowtail butterflies.
Uses
Use
This tree can be planted if you want to attract birds and butterflies into your garden. It can also be planted in small backyard gardens and near paving as the roots are not aggressive.
This tree is useful to mankind as it has a wide range of medicinal properties; this has resulted in it being distributed across the world wherever the climate is suitable. The leaf extracts treat skin infections and mouth sores. Extracts of the leaves and roots are taken to treat gastro-intestinal disorders, fever, pneumonia, venereal diseases, headaches, hypotension, sore throat, and sinusitis. The extracts can also be used as tonic for infants in preventing rickets, as it is used Xhosa culture, and as a tonic for pregnant women. Root extracts are taken to treat cough, malaria, syphilis, kidney ailments, irregular menses and epilepsy. The roots are chewed to combat indigestion, and are also given to pregnant women to ease delivery, expel blood from the uterus and later boost milk production. In West Africa a leaf decoction is taken to treat venereal diseases and also used as an aphrodisiac. A mixture made from the crushed leaves, with salt, chilli peppers and tamarind seeds, is taken to treat lack of appetite, bloating and indigestion. In South Africa a leaf extract is taken to treat diabetes. The leaves are used to make a tea to strengthen the blood and it has a host of medicinal and magical uses.
Crushed leaves are also used to treat wounds in domestic animals and as a snake-bite antidote.
The fruits are sweet and readily eaten by people as well as animals. The wood is used for sticks and hut building. Burnt stems are used to smoke fish and for ripening bananas. The stem bark is used as rope for the construction of granaries. Twigs and leaves are widely used in magico-religious ceremonies and rites, as the twigs are said to evict bad spirits.
The leaf of this plant contains essential oils that act as an agent of control for the larvae of mosquitoes, including Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. These oils are also used as insecticides and deterrents for stored foods because they are considered harmless to human beings. The leaves are burnt as a mosquito repellant and sticks are used as toothbrushes. Adding these oils to food can prevent food poisoning from bacteria such as Salmonella spp. and Bacillus spp. Dried leaves are widely used as insect repellant, e.g. as a filling material for mattresses and pillows to keep away fleas, lice and bedbugs. The oils from the leaves are also used in flavouring, perfumes, confectionery and pharmaceuticals.
Growing Clausena anisata
Grow
Clausena anisata can be grown from either stem cuttings or by sowing seeds. It is commercially cultivated in Malaysia and Indonesia for medicine, but in Africa, although leaves and roots are locally traded, there is no commercial production. This tree requires a position in full sun to semi-shade, with ample water. It is fast growing, frost- and drought-tolerant.
This species is generously seeded and the fruits are mainly dispersed by birds and small mammals. The average seed weight is 78.8 mg. In order to grow these seeds, one must first remove the pulp and soak the seed overnight so that they can imbibe water and activate the embryo. Sow seed in any well drained soil such as loam or river sand, so that seed rotting can be prevented. Treat the soil with a fungicide to prevent damping-off (basal stem rot on seedlings). Ensure that the area in which the seeds are planted is well ventilated and the seeds are kept moist.
Stem cuttings show a faster growth rate than seedlings, as the tissue will already be matured. For stem propagation, collect fresh tip cuttings before sunrise or after sunset when then the plant is at its full vigour. These tip cuttings must be 5 to 10 cm long and the cut must be just below the node. Dip the base of the cutting into the rooting hormone and insert the cuttings into a mixture of 1 part sifted fine bark, 1 part of sifted compost and 2 parts of perlite. Ensure that the growing environment is warm and humid, with the temperatures ranging from 25 to 27℃.
In Indonesia Clausena anisata is usually multiplied by grafting, using Clausena excavata as root stock.
References
- Boon, R. 2010. Pooley's trees of eastern South Africa, a complete guide. Flora & Fauna Publications Trust, Durban.
- Coates Palgrave, K. 2002. Trees of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.
- Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques Ville de Geneve, African Plant Database Clausena anisata. http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/details.php?langue=an&id=89699. Accessed on 29/08/2021.
- Foden, W. & Potter, L. 2005. Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook.f. ex Benth. var. anisata. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2021/09/25.
- Grow wild purposefully indigenous. Clausena anisata. https://growwild.co.za/product/clausena-anisata/. Accessed on 17/09/2021.
- Lawal, I.O., Grierson, D.S. & Afolayan, A.J. 2015 Phytochemical and antioxidant investigations of a Clausena anisata hook, a South African medicinal plant. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. Vol. 12(1): 28–37.
- Msweli, T. & Gabayi, M. 2021. Ziziphus zeyheriana Sond. (Rutaceae). PlantZAfrica. Online. http://pza.sanbi.org/ziziphus-zeyheriana.
- Mukandiwa, L., Eloff, J.N. & Naidoo, V. 2015. Larvicidal activity of leaf extracts and seselin from Clausena anisata (Rutaceae) against Aedes aegypti. South African Journal of Botany 100: 169–173.
- Prota4u Record display. Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook.f. ex Benth. https://www.prota4u.org/database/protav8.asp?g=psk&p=Clausena+anisata. Accessed on 12/09/2021.
- Random Harvest. Clausena anisata. https://www.randomharvest.co.za/South-African-Indigenous-Plants/Show-Plant/PlantId/136?Plant=Clausena%20anisata. Accessed on 17/09/2021.
- Useful tropical plants. Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook.f. ex Benth. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Clausena%20anisata. Accessed on 12/09/2021.
- Van Wyk, P. 1994. Field guide to the trees of the Kruger National Park. Struik, Cape Town.
- Wild flower Nursery. Clausena anisata. https://wildflowernursery.co.za/indigenous-plant-database/clausena-anisata/. Accessed on 17/09/2021.
Credits
Thamsanqa Msweli
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
November 2021
Acknowledgements: the author thanks Troos van der Merwe, Mark Eriksen, Geoff Nichols and Angela Noske for the images; and Mpendulo Gabayi for guidance and editing.
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type: Shrub, Tree
SA Distribution: Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Western Cape
Soil type: Sandy, Loam
Flowering season: Spring, Winter
PH:
Flower colour: Cream
Aspect: Full Sun, Morning Sun (Semi Shade), Afternoon Sun (Semi Shade)
Gardening skill: Easy
Special Features:
Attracts birds
Attracts butterflies
Fragrant
Edible plant
Medical plant
Useful plant
Horticultural zones
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