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forager’s tips

edible plants - wild medlar & raisinbush
Vangueria infausta, mmilo & Grewia flavescens,
mokgomphatha, are traditional food plants indigenous to
Botswana. G. flavescens is a large shrub, its fruiting season
starts from March onwards into Winter depending on the
rainy season, and V. infausta (a small to medium tree) is a
little earlier. Fruits can be preserved and made into jams,
and a traditional beer made from them too.
medicinal plants - leadwood

Combretum imberbe, Leadwood, Motswiri

Smoke that comes from the burning leaves has been used
to relieve coughs, colds and chest complaints. The gum
that exudes from damaged areas on the stem is edible.
Leadwood ash is used as a toothpaste, and it is also a
protected tree. One should harvest plants responsibly and have done
thorough research on their identification and safety prior to use.
poisonous plants - castor bean

Ricinus communis, Castor bean is grown commercially
for its oil, which has a multitude of uses. It is a perennial
that grows up to 10m, with many beautiful hybrids used
in landscaping, however the oil-rich seeds contain the
poison ricin, one of the most toxic substances known, and
consumption of chewed seeds can be lethal. The plants are
also highly allergenic.

invasive plants - water hyacinth
Eichhornia crassipes, Water hyacinth, is a free floating
aquatic plant, and is one of the most productive plants on
earth. It originates from South America and has a very
pretty flower, but is also Southern Africa’s worst
aquatic weed. It is known for blocking waterways as it
grows prolifically and is difficult to eradicate. It interferes
with fish culture, and provides mosquito breeding sites. It can
be seen along the Limpopo river, in the Tuli area of Botswana.
Text & Photos: by S C