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[Athena]

Datasheet: Alepidea amatymbica

1. NOMENCLATURE

Synonyms: Alepidea amatymbica var. amatymbica, Alepidea amatymbica var. cordata, Alepidea aquatica, Eryngium amatymbica.

Common Names (english): larger tinsel flower

Common Names (non-english): Kalmoes (Afrikaans); Iqwili (Xhosa); ikhathazo (Zulu); lesoko (Sotho).

Taxonomic Position: Apiaceae


2. DESCRIPTION

Plant Type: Perennial herb

Morphology: Alepidea amatymbica is a robust, erect plant, up to 2 m tall in grassland; the leaves form a loose rosette with the flower spike rising above the surrounding grasses. The margins of the leaves are prominently toothed, each tooth ending in a bristle. The inflorescence is widely branched, with a number of small, star-shaped, white flowers, ± 250 mm in diameter. [1]


3. DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY

Geographical Distribution: Southern Africa, and extends up the east coast as far as Zimbabwe, and northwards into Kenya and Ethiopia [1].

Native Habitat: It is common in the summer rainfall grasslands.
Hardiness and Environmental Requirements: cold hardy: USDA Zone:7  0° to 10°F   (-17.5° to -12.5°C) [2].

Soil Requirements: Well-draining soil.


4. PROPAGATION AND CYCLE

Types of Propagation: Propagation from seed. However, because it is an important component of the grasslands, which are subjected to regular burning, it regenerates from well-developed underground stems, which are able to survive the heat of a grass fire.

Seed Germination Notes: This plant is best grown from fresh seed sown in trays filled with a very well-drained seedling mix in late summer or early spring. Once sown, the seed should be lightly covered and kept watered until germination takes place. The seedlings are very prone to damping off and so watering should be carefully monitored. Once potted into individual pots, the plants need to be grown until the underground stem develops, after which they can be planted out [1].
Life Cycle: 


5. HISTORY AND CULTURE

The dry rhizome and roots were traditionally smoked, or powdered and taken as snuff by diviners and healers to assist in divination and communication with the ancestors. Smoking the roots results in sedation and vivid dreams. Zulu herbalists (Izinyanga) prescribe the plant to help prevent nervousness in South Africa. It is believed elderly people would powder the dry rhizome and take it as snuff, or smoke the roots for to help with headaches. The Xhosa People living in south-east South Africa, are known to have used Alepidea for self-fortification and to ward off evil spirits [3].
It is also reported by marijuana smokers that by mixing it in their cigarettes, it takes away the smell of the herb.


6. PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS

Documented properties: Various ranges of traditional uses of Alepidea amatymbica were reported in the literature, from simple uses for conditions such as malaria, diarrhea to cold, coughs, influenza, chest complaints, and wound to complex uses for the management of asthma and rheumatism. For asthma treatment, grounded samples of Alepidea amatymbica rhizome are combined with cannabis for the washing of the divining bones. In traditional medicine, Alepidea amatymbica is used for the treatment of minor ailments (e.g., sore throat, cough, and influenza) and complications (inflammation, asthma, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, wound, and rheumatism). In Zimbabwe, A. amatymbica is considered as one of the ten most recognised medicinal plants, locally used as a remedy for asthma, influenza, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps and to treat colds, coughs rheumatism, and wounds. This species is highly regarded as a remedy for respiratory tract infections, asthma, sore throat, gastrointestinal complaints, fever, rheumatism, bleeding wounds, and headache and extracts are also reported to be active against HIV  [3].

Parts of the plant with therapeutic/psychoactive value: Rhizome and root.

Phytochemical Information: This species has been shown to contain a mixture of several kaurene-type diterpenes such as ent-16-kaurene-19-oic acid, which may together constitute up to 11.8% of rhizome and root dry mass 4 . Very similar compounds occur in Arctopus echinatus (Apiaceae) [4].


6. REFERENCES AND CITATIONS

STS Threads with Information: Seed identification: http://sharetheseeds.me/forum/index.php?topic=209.msg21549#msg21549

External Links: http://researchspace.csir.co.za/dspace/handle/10204/6988

Citation Sources:
[1] http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/alepidamat.htm
[2] https://b-and-t-world-seeds.com/cartall.asp?species=Alepidea%20amatymbica&sref=74396
[3] http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2014/284517/
[4] http://www.plantzafrica.com/medmonographs/alepideaatym.pdf

Image from: http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/alepidamat.htm

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