Feb 04

Plants along the Woza eNanda Walking Trail

by eNanda.co.za in Community, Culture & Heritage, Tourism

There are still many green spaces in Inanda and the Woza eNanda Walking Trail often runs along the river or through densely vegetated slopes along small footpaths. A lot of interesting plants can be encountered here. Some are used for medicinal purposes or linked with cultural beliefs. But there are also a lot of invasive alien plants that must be carefully controlled or should be eradicated.

Our horticulturalist, Lindelani Zuke, provides some explanations, but please contribute your own knowledge through the comment feature below or e-mail us at enandaonline@gmail.com. Tell us, what the Zulu name of the different plants is and what the community uses these plants for. You can also mail us your own pictures of plants and tree.

You can also get information about social and cultural points of interest along the Woza eNanda Walking trail and follow our updates on the further development.

INDIGENOUS TREES AND SHRUBS

Wild Plum

Scientific name: Harpephyllum caffrum
Zulu name: Umganu

Umganu is associated with attracting women for marriage. A man can prepare a love potion from the leaves of the tree and apply that to the skin of his face.

Misty plume bush

Scientific name: Tetradenia riparia
Zulu name: Iboza

Locals use this shrub for making flu medicine. Check out more about this plant on the Ulwazi blog.

Giant leaf fig

Scientific name: Ficus lutea
Zulu name: Umkhiwane

Wild banana

Scientific name: Strelitzia Nicolai

Paperbark thorn

Scientific name: Acacia sieberianaCommon: Paperbark thorn
Zulu name: Umkhamba

Ipomea

Scientific name: Ipomea cairica
Zulu name: Umaholwana

Kei apple

Scientific name: Dovyalis caffra

FRUIT TREES and VEGETABLES

Mango tree

Peach tree

Scientific name: Prunus persica
Zulu name: Umpentshisi

Amadumbe

Scientific name: Colocasia esculenta

ALIEN AND ALIEN INVASIVE PLANTS

Sadly, a lot of alien vegetation, much of it invasive, some even dangerous to humans and animals grows in Inanda, too. Alien plants consume scarce water resources, limit biodiversity and invade land that could be put to better use for the community.

In terms of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (CARA 1983), alien plants are classified in three categories:

Category 1: Highly invasive, should be eradicated and planting is prohibited
Category 2: Alien, but useful. Can be planted, but only with permit
Category 3: Can be kept, but must not be propagated

Parthenium weed

Scientific name: Parthenium hysterophorus
Zulu name: Umbulalazwe