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
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
Mexican sunflower
Scientific name: Tithonia diversifolia
Peanut butter cassia
Scientific name: Senna didymobotrya
Spanish Reed
Scientific name: Arundo donax
Napier Fodder or Elephant Grass
Scientific name: Pennisetum purpureum
Syringa
Scientific name: Melia azedarach
Zulu name: Umsilinga
Yellow Oleander
Scientific name: Thevetia peruviana
Indian Shot
Scientific name: Canna Indica
Singapore daisy
Scientific name: Sphagneticola trilobata
Butterfly orchid tree
Scientific name: Bauhinia purpurea
Jambolan
Scientific name: Syzygium cumini
Zulu name: Umdoni wesilungu
Brazilian pepper tree
Scientific name: Schinus terebinthifolius
Large Cocklebur
Scientific name : Xanthium strumarium
Balloon vine
Scientific name: Cardiospermum grandiflorum
Triffid weed
Scientific name: Chromolaena odorata
Zulu name: Usandanezwe
Castor oil plant
Scientific name: Ricinus communis
Agaratum
Scientific name: Ageratum conyzoides
Bugweed
Scientific name: Solanum mauritianum
Zulu name: Umbhangabhanga
Nandi flame
Scientific name: Spathodea campanulata
Goosefoot
Scientific name: Syngonium podophyllum
Barbados gooseberry
Scientific name: Pereskia aculeata
Four-o’ clock
Scientific name: Mirabilis jalapa
Compiled by Sabine Marschall; expertise supplied by Lindelani Zuke (horticulturalist, Durban Green Corridor) 31/1/14
This post will soon be available in ZULU
This post is also available in: Zulu