Botanical name |
Tetradenia riparia |
Other names |
Ginger bush; watersalie (Afrikaans); iboza (Zulu) |
Family |
Lamiaceae |
Dimensions |
Large deciduous and dioecious shrub, seldom a tree, up to 3 m |
Description of stem |
Smooth, light grey to brown bark |
Description of leaves |
Ovate, sometimes round soft and sticky, hairy; veins indented above, prominent below; margin toothed; leaves exude a spicy scent |
Description of flowers |
Axillary and terminal spikes of very small light mauve, white or sometimes pink tamarisk-like flowers appearing late winter to early spring, usually before the leaves |
Description of seed/fruit |
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Description of roots |
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Variation |
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Propagation and cultivation |
Grows very easily from cuttings; plant in frost-free positions |
Tolerances |
Frost tender |
Uses |
Leaf infusions used by traditional communities for a variety of respiratory, stomach and other ailments, including malaria; attracts a variety of insects |
Ecological rarity |
Common |
Pests and diseases |
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Other |
Tetradenia = having four glands; riparia = growing on river banks |
Location |
In lightly forested areas and near water |
Distribution (SA provinces) |
Limpopo; Mpumalanga; Kwazulu-Natal |
Country |
South Africa |