KwaZulu-Natal Herbarium

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Hypoxis L.

Family:

Common names: yellow stars, star lily, african potato (Eng.); sterretjie, Afrika-patat (Afr.); inkomfe, ilabatheka (isiZulu)

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Species

plant

Hypoxis hemerocallidea (previous name H. rooperii)
Best known member of the genus. Plants about 100 to 500 mm tall. Leaves clearly 3-ranked, distinctly arching in the shape of a sickle and are hairy all over. Widespread in the summer rainfall region of South Africa, from coast to interior, extending nothwards into Botswana where populations become fewer.

Used for centuries in African traditional medicine and recently recognized in the alternative medicine trade as a 'wonder cure' for its immune-boosting properties.

plant

Hypoxis obtusa
Very similar to H. hemerocallidea in appearance but differing in its leaves being stiff, twisting with age, and with margins white due to overlapping hairs. Widespread in southern Africa.

Used in the making of a floor polish for huts by local tribes in the Estcourt area of KwaZulu-Natal. A very floriferous species and has potential for horticulture. Occasionally hybridizes with H. rigidula.

plant

Hypoxis colchicifolia
Second most popular species in the medicinal trade in South Africa. Plants tall, 250-600 mm in height. Leaves are long and wide and their bases wrap over to form a false stem, giving the plant a tall, erect appearance. Leaves are tough and almost hairless. Widespread from the coast to the interior of southern Africa.

Plant

Hypoxis rigidula
Similar to H. colchicifolia in habit, differing in its long but narrow leaves that are soft and bend backwards. Leaves are hairy all over have strong fibres and are used to make rope and hut trimmings. Two varieties are recognized by the density of hairs on leaves: In H. rigidula subsp. rigidula, the leaves are sparsely hairy with hairs lying mainly between the ribs; in H. rigidula var. pilosissima, they densely covered with hairs on both surfaces.

Hypoxis augustifolia

Hypoxis angustifolia
One of the few species used in the nursery trade as it is suitable for cultivation due to its spreading rootstock. Plants are 70 to 300 mm tall and are clump-forming. Leaves are soft and of a flaccid nature. Two varieties are recognized, based on width of leaves. Common along shaded cliff faces in the Eastern Cape, where it grows alongside and occasionally hybridizes with H. membranacea.

Hypoxis membranacea

Hypoxis membranacea
A white-flowered, fragile species, widespread from coast to interior in South Africa. Plants small, 40 to 100 mm tall. Corms small, about 10 mm in diameter. Leaves membranous. Flowering stalk with 1 to 3 flowers,which are Flowers white. Clump-forming and easily spreading like H. angustifolia.

Hypoxis parvula

Hypoxis parvula
A mountain endemic occurring in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. Prefers moist, semi-shaded habitats among boulders. Plants small, similar in habit to H. membranacea. Flowering stalk with a single flower. Two varieties are recognized by flower colour. Flowers in H. parvula var. parvula are yellow and those of H. parvula var. albiflora are white like in H. membranacea. Excellent for alpine gardens. Produces occasional hybrids with Rhodohypoxis.

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Hyphaene coriacea Gaertn.

Family:

Common names: lala palm, ilala palm, gingerbread tree, fan palm (Eng.); lalapalm, palmboom, waaierpalm (Afr.); Lala-Palme (German); Lilala (Swati); Nnala (Tsonga); Mulala (Venda); iLala (Zulu)

SA Tree No: 23

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Helichrysum platypterum DC.

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Common names: umbizakayivuthwa, uhlokokayivuthwa, umgunyuza (isiZulu)

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Garcinia livingstonei T.Anderson

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Common names: African mangosteen (Eng.); Afrika-geelmelkhout (Afr.); umPhimbi, uGobandlovu (isiZulu); mmimbi (xiTsonga); mokongono, mokononga (siPedi)

SA Tree No: 486

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Faurea rochetiana (A.Rich.) Chiov. ex Pic.Serm.

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Common names: broad-leaved boekenhout (Eng.); breëblaarboekenhout (Afr.) ; Mogwapi (North Sotho); siSefo (siSwati); N'wamidzumba (Tsonga); Mutango (tshiVenda)

SA Tree No: 76

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Dianthus zeyheri Sond.

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Common names: wild pink dianthus, African carnation (Eng.); grasangelier, wild-angelier (Afr.); iningizimu, isidala, umzima (isiZulu)

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Cryptocarya wyliei Stapf

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Common names: red quince; red-haired laurel (Eng.); rooikweper (Afr.); umNgcabe (Zulu); umNqayane (Zulu, Xhosa)

SA Tree No: 117

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Croton pseudopulchellus Pax

Family:

Common names: small lavender fever-berry (Eng.); kleinlaventelkoorsbessie, sandkoorsbessie (Afr.); uHubeshane (isiZulu)

SA Tree No: 329.3

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Combretum woodii Dummer

Family:

Common names: large-leaved forest bushwillow (Eng.); grootblaarvaderlandswilg (Afr.); iWaphu (Zulu); Mbondvo sehlatsi (Swazi)

SA Tree No: 540.1

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Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lam.

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Common names: black mangrove (Eng.); swartwortelboom (Afr.); isiKhangazi, isi Hlobane (isiZulu); isiKhangathi (isiXhosa); m'tumansi, setaca (Mozambique, language unspecified); muia (kiSwahili)

SA Tree No: 527

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