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forager’s tips

edible plants - Vigna unguiculata

Vigna unguiculata, Cowpea, is an erect to trailing indigenous
annual legume, found throughout Botswana, along with other
Vigna species. It tolerates sandy soil and low rainfall, and is an
important crop, requires very few inputs, as the plant’s root
nodules are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Cowpeas are grown
mostly for their edible beans, although the leaves, green seeds and
pods can also be consumed, and the whole plant is used as forage
for animals, with its use as cattle feed likely responsible for its name.

medicinal plants - Rauvolfia caffra

Rauvolfia caffra, Quinine tree, refers to the bitter and
supposedly quinine-like properties of the bark. The bark is used as a
dressing for wounds and the infusion is used to kill maggots in wounds.
Pieces of bark are chewed to treat coughs. The latex is used to treat
diarrhoea and other stomach ailments. The latex contains alkaloids that
are used in preparations for the treatment of high blood pressure and
certain mental aberrations. The leaves, flowers and fruits serve as a food
source for vervet monkeys. (Ref: Sifiso Mnxati, KwaZulu-Natal Herbarium)

poisonous plants - Cascabela thevetia

Cascabela thevetia, Yellow oleander, (syn: Thevetia peruviana)
is a poisonous plant indigenous to Central America, and
cultivated widely as an ornamental. All parts of the plant are toxic
if eaten, particularly the fruit and seeds. Symptoms may include a
burning sensation in the mouth, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness and
a slow or irregular heartbeat. The main toxins are the cardenolides
and are not destroyed by drying or heating and they are very similar
to digoxin from Digitalis purpurea. Poisoning can be fatal.

invasive plants -Macroptilium bracteatum

Macroptilium bracteatum, Burgundy bean, is a trailing
herbaceous perennial from South America that grows by roadsides
and in disturbed areas. It is largely used to improve soil organic
matter and improve the soil nitrogen status in preparation for
subsequent crops. It can become a weed, as it has high seed yields,
however the species is very palatable at all stages of maturity, and
resident goat or cattle usually keep it from becoming too invasive. It
can become a problem in gardens, however, where browsing animals
are uncommon.
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