A remedy for tiredness
Name: Syncostemon densiflorusBenth Family: Lamiaceae (Sage or Mint family) Common names: Engl. Pink Plume Xho. (isiMpondo)Ikhambi lasemphahlane
Description
Shrub about 1-2m long. Stems are velvety white, sparsely branched, woody at base. Leaves have toothed margins above the middle. Flowers are in clusters, in dense terminal, branching inflorescence; flowers 18-23mm, stamens exerted, bright pink in colour, calyx lobes long, narrow, reddish mauve. Flowering in October–June.
Conservation status
According to the SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute) Red List of South African Plants, Syncolostemon densiflorus 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 assessments for all taxa with an automated status.
http://redlist.sanbi.org
Distribution and habitat
Syncolostemon densiflorus found in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal in rough grassland and forest margins.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
The name Syncolostemon refers to the shape and size of the filaments in the flower. Densiflorus means densely covered with flowers.
Ecology
S. densiflorus, because of its compact terminal inflorescence and long corolla tubes, is pollinated by a broad array of visitors including flies like Philoliche aethiopica (Needle-nose fly), bees Xylocopa sp., butterflies Metisella metis (Gold Spotted Sylph), Danaus chrysippus (Plain Tiger or African Monarch) and sunbirds Nectarina famosa (Malachite sunbird), Nectarinia talatala (White-bellied sunbird).
Uses and cultural aspects
The aromatic leaves are used Learn about our natural heritage and the links between cultural and biological diversity to make an enema to treat fever and flu symptoms in infants and an affliction called umkhondo.
The symptoms of umkhondo are excessive tiredness, a slight depression of the fontanel and the opening of the anus.
The pink plume is also used to help remove the first stool ( meconium) of an infant and is used as emetic by adults to attain a state of physical and metaphysical health, called impilo.
In order to achieve impilo one must remove ‘pollution’ ( umlaza) by purging.
Growing
This plant grows well in full sun conditions. It needs welldrained soil, although soil should not dry out. Use this plant as a low to medium height filler shrub in perennial borders or as an accent specimen on a rockery.
Once established, do not cultivate under the plants as they do not like the soil at its roots to be disturbed. Mulching with leaves, compost, bark or even pebbles improves the growth of the plants.
Propagation of this plant is not easy but plants can be grown from seed or tip cuttings taken in August. Root the 50mm tip cuttings in sand under mist conditions with bottom heat.
A good rooting hormone should also be used. Sow the seed in seed trays filled with a well-drained commercial seedling mix and keep them in a lightly shaded location where they will not dry out.
The shrub must be pruned every second year in early spring to prevent it becoming woody and to encourage new growth.
New branches need to be tipped in late October to encourage new shoots and en-