The
famous Spiral Aloe
(Pic courtesy
Dr D.J. McDonald)
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The Alpine Flora
of Lesotho is spectacular, from the Spiral Aloes in
October right through to the Red Hot Pokers in February.
Here are a few of our favourite plants:-
1. Genus: Aloe Polyphylla
Common name: Spiral Aloe
Sesotho name: Kharetsana
An endangered plant endemic to Lesotho and the National
flower. Distinctive clockwise or anti-clockwise spiral
arrangement of the leaves, giving it it's peculiar symmetrical
appearance. The leaves are broad with a greyish green
colour, mostly smooth with greenish thorns on the margins.
Tips dry, purplish black. Pale red to salmon flowers
(Sept - October). Protected by law, sadly not enforced.
Value: After a burial, one must wash
one's hands in a mixture of water and aloe juice to
remove all bad spirits. Infusion good for stomach ailments.
Pic — Dr DJ McDonald |
2. Genus: Dierama Robustum
Common name: Hairbell
Sesotho name: Lethepo
1-2 m tall, solitary or in small clumps, 1600-2900m.
Leaves linear. Inflorescence - 2-5 flowered spike on
a long, slender, nodding stalk. Flowers pendulous, bell
shaped, creamy white to pale pink or mauve flowers (Dec-Feb).
Widespread in grassland at high altitude, especially
on the Thaba Putsoa range.
Value: Used for making serotos (grass
baskets). The stem is used for playing musical instruments
such as the setolo-tolo and the lekope.
3. Genus: Dicotyledons
- Cotyledon Orbiculata
Common name: Pig's Ears
Sesotho name: Sereleli
The succulent leaves of this plant are shaped like pig's
ears. Red bell-like flowers (Nov-Feb). Inflorescence.
The leaf margin is often red. On cliffs and steep slopes
2000-3000m.
Value: A cure for many illnesses, commonly
used for bee and insect bites. Infusion of leaves good
for an ear abscess and boils. Antiseptic properties.
Pic — Dr DJ McDonald |
4. Genus: Monocotyledons
- Kniphofia Caulescens
Common name: Lesotho Red-hot Poker
Sesotho name: Khaputlane
Robust and often in large colonies, in marshes and wet
cliffs, up to 3000m. Thick rhizome, blue-grey-green
leaves. Buds coral pink to red arranged in a tapering
spike at the top of a firm erect stalk. Flowers pale
greenish yellow to creamy yellow (Jan-Mar). Stamens
protruding. Value: The root is crushed & women who
have problems
Value: The root is crushed and women
who have problems conceiving use a mixture. Cleans the
ovaries and activates the fertility process. Helps regulate
menstrual flow. Charm against lightning.
Pic — Dr DJ McDonald |
5. Genus: Iridaceae -
Iris Family - Moraea Huttonii
Common name: Large Golden Vlei Moraea
/ Yellow Iris
Sesotho name: Tele
Large, iris-like, bright yellow flower with darker,
yellow-brown nectar markings near the blossom throat,
with dark brown blotch on each style crest (Sep-Oct).
Sweetly scented, close to mountain streams and rivers,
in clumps.
Value: A lovely garden plant.
6. Genus: Zantedeschia
Aethiopica - Araceae
Common name: Spotted-leaved Arum Lily
Sesotho name: Mohalalitoe
The leaves are triangular with large basal lobes, either
plain green or speckled with white blotches. The flower
is cylindrical, white or cream with or without a patch
of deep purple in the throat. (Nov-Dec). Fruit green
and stems bend towards the ground.
Value: Roots are infused and taken
internally for kidney and bladder complaints and as
a gargle for sore throats and mouth ulcers.
Pic — Dr DJ McDonald |
7. Genus: Gladiolus Saundersii
Common name: SaundersÕ Gladiolus
/ Lesotho Lily
Sesotho name: Mokhabebe
Long, sturdy erect leaves. Inflorescence erect. Flowers
large and bright red, with broad white mark and speckled
on lower tepals. Downward facing and hooded. Endemic.
Value: Herdboys suck the nectar from
the flowers. Eaten as salad.
8. Genus: Monocotyledons
- Merxmuellera Macowanii
Common name: Mountain Grass
Sesotho name: Moseha
A tufted, perennial grass with sharp pointed, yellowish
to golden brown leaves. Spikes look yellow against the
green grassland. Tightly folded with age. Inflorescence.
Value: Products are made out of this
grass, such as brooms, mats, containers, ropes and hats
- the most famous of which is the symbolic Basotho hat.
9. Genus: Euphorbiaceae
- Euphorbia Clavarioides
Common name: Lion's Spoor
Sesotho name: Sehloko
A perennial succulent forming convex solid cushions,
whose main stem grows underground and consists of densely
crowded branches. The stems are olive green to brownish,
rounded at tips. Flowers are bright yellow with 3-4
bracts (Oct-Jan). The milky latex that is characteristic
of this family, gives this species a pungent smell.
Value: Herdboys use the milky latex
to heal cracks or chaffing on their foot soles and chew
the milky latex when dry. Heals body rashes and sometimes
used with clay to heal pimples. Used to prepare birdlime.
Pic — Dr DJ McDonald |
10. Genus: Mesembryanthemaceae
- Delosperma Lavisiae
Common name: Mountain Vygie
Sesotho name: Mabone
A succulent perennial herb. Found in rocky areas, up
to 2650m, form mats. Stems prostrate. Leaves are round
to 3-angled with blunt tips, spreading. Inflorescence
much branched. Flowers magenta on stalks (Nov-Mar).
Endemic.
Value: Used as a cleanser in bath water.
Taken to induce vomiting.
11. Genus: Mentha Longifolia
Common name: Wild Spearmint
Sesotho name: Koena-ea-thaba
Perennial herb, up to 2400m. Long pointed leaves and
quadrangular stems, with green or greyish leaves. It
has a mint smell, with purple or white flowers borne
in pyramid-shaped clusters.
Value: Used for colds and fever. Sedative.
Insect repellant. Basotho frequently put it inside their
noses to stop inhaling cold winds, and also for nasal
congestion. African Wormwood (Artemisia Afra-Lengana)
is also used. This plant is an alien invasice plant.
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