Page 16 - feb21

indigenous

The Aroma of Botswana -

These plants may not look
spectacular, but they sure smell
divine.

Pechuel-loeschea leubnitziae, commonly known
as Wild sage is found throughout Botswana,
especially noticeable in the Kalahari where
the air can’t be separated from its heady
scent. Sphaeranthus incisus, Purple pan-weed,
I came across for the first time while visiting
the Okavango, the plant emits the most
incredible intoxicating smell when the leaves
are crushed. Phyllanthus reticulatus, the Roast
potato plant, is another of those scents
that if bottled would be the quintessential
perfume of Botswana bush. Helichrysum
zeyheri is locally known as the Vix plant,
for the smell of its leaves, and is also used
medicinally. Cyperus papyrus, Papyrus, isn’t
just an ancient form of paper, it’s been used
in fragrances from Egypt to India, and can
smell aromatic or woody, earthy and spicy.
It grows along rivers in the Okavango delta.
Asparagus species are prolific around
Botswana, and the sweet smell of their flowers
is one of the most fragrant. It’s a scent that
you can’t get enough of! Text & Photos by S.C

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