A flower to fight fire
Name: Pentanisia prunelloides(Klotzsch)Wa lp. Family: Rubiaceae (Coffee, Madder, or Bedstraw family) Common names: Engl. Wild Verbena Afr. Sooibrandbossie Xho. Isicimamlilo,Irhubuxa
Description
A perennial herb that grows to 60cm high with a large, thick tuberous root. Stem and leaves are green, hairy to hairless; leaves simple and opposite. Flowers in terminal dense inflorescence - a round head of pale to deep purplish blue flowers trumpet-shaped. Flowers well in spring after fire.
Conservation status
According to the SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute) Red list of South African Plants, Pentanisia prunelloides was not selected in any one of four screening processes for highlighting potential taxa of conservation concern for detailed assessment and was hence given an automated status of Least Concern (LC). The Threatened Species Programme is currently systematically completing full assessment for all Learn about our natural heritage and the links between cultural and biological diversity
taxa with an automated status. http://redlist.sanbi.org
Distribution and habitat
The plant grows in full sun on grassy flats and hillsides. It is an important component of grasslands in the eastern parts of South Africa. Provincial distribution: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape
Derivation of name and historical aspects
Pentanisia is derived from the Greek penta meaning five; anisos, which is unequal, refers to the calyx lobes; and prunelloides means resembling the genus Prunella, which belongs to the Lamiaceae family and the prunus comes from the Latin meaning purple.
Isicimamlilo is a compound of ukucima, to extinguish, and umlilo, fire, meaning the medicine will snuff out malevolent forces and put an end to pain. Irhubuxa derives from the word ukurhubuluza, sim- ply meaning to creep on the ground, describing the growth form of the plant.
Ecology
Butterflies and moths use their long proboscis to reach the nectar in the bottom of the tubular flower, and in the process, carry pollen from one flower to another. Pentanisia is flowering after fire and its large root allows it to survive fires and dry winter months.
Uses and cultural aspects
The fleshy, tuberous root is mainly used, but sometimes also the leaves. Decoctions are often used for burns, swelling, sore joints and rheumatism. The plant is also used to treat heartburn, vomiting, fever, chest pain, toothache, tuberculosis, blood impurities, haemorrhoids and snake bite. It is taken regularly by pregnant women to ensure an easy childbirth. A leaf poultice is applied for a retained placenta. P. prunelloides also used as protection against lighting caused by witchcraft. It is splashed and sprinkled around the home.
Growing
This species does not transplant well from the wild as it is difficult to remove the rootstock intact and rot sets in. However, the plant can be propagated by cuttings taken in early summer, which root readily in a well-drained medium such as coarse pine bark. It can also be grown from seed. Plant it on grassland bed consisting of grasses mixed with other species such as Berkheya and Vernonia. Remember P. prunelloides dislike root disturbance and usually dies back in winter.