Sclerochiton ilicifolius
A, Meeuse
Spiny white lips
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Pieter, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Pieter, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Pieter, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
A small compact shrub. It grows 1-2 m tall. It has several short strong stems. The leaves are in clusters at the ends of the branches. They are small and broadly oval. They are 1-2 cm long by 1 cm wide. There are deep teeth around the edge with a sharp spine on the end of each. The leaves are dark green above and more pale underneath. The leaves are stiffly leathery. The flowers are 3 cm long and white to cream. The petals have lines of dense silvery hairs. There are 2-4 flowers in a group. The fruit are oblong pointed capsules.
Edible Uses
The roots contain monatin and are traditionally used as a sweetener.
Traditional Uses
The roots are very sweet containing monatin.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
It is a subtropical plant. It grows among rocks on hot, dry mountain slopes. They grow in the Waterburg mountains in South Africa.
Where It Grows
Africa, Botswana, South Africa, Southern Africa,
References (2)
- Schmidt, E., Lotter, M., & McCleland, W., 2007, Trees and shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park. Jacana Media p 614
- van Wyk, B-E., 2011, The potential of South African plants in the development of new food and beverage products. South African Journal of Botany 77 (2011) 857–868
