give buchu oil its characteristic what's in a name? smell and flavour but the profiles differ between species. The possibly toxic pulegone Botanical names: The three buchu species harvested commercially from the wild are betulina, A. crenulata is found in high concentrations (50%) in and A. serratifolia. Agathosma is derived from the Greek agathos (good) and osme (scent), referring to the fragrance of A. crenulata, giving its oil a sharp smell. Pulegone its . is only minimally present in A. betulina (less Family name: , the citrus family, many of whose members have leaves with conspicuous oil glands and a sharp than 3%), the favoured choice for the local lemon-like scent when crushed. and export food, medicinal and bottled water Common names: A. betulina: Buchu (Khoi), Round- Buchu (Eng.), iBuchu (Xhosa), Rondeblaarboegoe, Bergboegoe flavour markets. Pharmacological analysis of (Afr.). A crenulata: Oval-leaf Buchu (Eng.), Anysboegoe (Afr.). A serratifolia: Long-leaf Buchu (Eng.), Kloofboegoe (Afr.). the essential oil and extracts show weak anti- European herbal books often still refer to buchu species under the old generic synonym Barosma. They distinguish between Short Buchu, or ‘shorts’ (A. betulina), Oval Buchu, or ‘ovals’ or ‘shortbroads’ (A. crenulata) and Long Buchu, or microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and ‘longs’ (A. serratifolia). anti-spasmodic activity. Buchu is also popularly available as a tonic and digestive tea, and a brandy tincture developed by early Dutch colonists, ‘boegoebrandewyn’ is still taken for An easy guide to growing buchu many conditions.

Commercial exploitation ENVIRONMENT Since demand for dried buchu leaves and ACTIVITY REQUIRED FOR TREATMENT TIME REMARKS SUCCESS the steam-distilled oil extract far outstrips production, sustainable commercialization Harvest or seed Seed can be stored in a brown Seed ripens The seeds collected from fully ripe seed capsules develop paper bag in a ventilated area. towards late capsules germinate well. If the seed is of buchu has become critically important after flowering. The spring and harvested too early the embryo will not if the three species are to survive in the seed capsules are early summer develop and the seed will not be viable. wild. Established in the wild can yield harvested by hand (October to an estimated 0.5 kg of foliage a year for before the seed is December). dispersed from the harvesting (5-15 tons per ha). It takes one ripe . Select ton of wet buchu to produce a kilogram of ripe seed capsules distilled oil. Successful application of new that are plump and growing methods has made possible the dark green. establishment of buchu farms in areas. Seed Sow in seed trays Seed can be smoke-treated with Sow seed Place the trays in a covered area with A mature buchu plantation that will produce Sowing in a well-drained Instant Smoke Plus® seed primer* in autumn good light and good air circulation. Keep medium of equal for better germination results. (March to seed trays damp, watering once a day. an income takes four to six years to establish, portions of sand and Water the seed with an anti- April). Germination occurs within 4 weeks to but provides a more stable income than compost. fungicide to avoid damping-off. 2 months. When four true leaves have harvesting from the wild. developed and/or the roots are 5-10 mm long prick out the seedlings into 0.5 l bags. Pinch out the growing tips of the seedlings to encourage bushy growth. GET CONNECTED Vegetative After flowering, the Tip cuttings 50-70 mm are taken Spring and Rooting occurs within 9-11 weeks and The author can be contacted at [email protected]. propaga- produces new from current year’s growth. midsummer a hardening off period of 2-3 weeks is WHERE CAN I GET BUCHUS? tion shoots, which are Prepare the cuttings by making (September recommended. Inspect cuttings in a mist ideal for tip-, stem- a clean cut below the node and to January). unit on a regular basis for any die-back, Seeds of several buchu species are available from the Kirstenbosch or heel cuttings. remove a third of the foliage. diseases or fungal infection. Pot root Seed Room at tel 021 799 8624 or email [email protected]. Cuttings have the Dip the base of the cutting in a cuttings into a well-drained, humus- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS advantage of pro- rooting hormone such as Seradix enriched potting medium. Allow plants ducing a flowering No.2 ®. Place the cutting in a to grow for 7-8 months before planting My thanks to colleagues for useful growing and field information plant quicker than tray containing a medium of out into the garden. Feed plants with a and, as usual, to my Khehla, Peter Croeser, for useful suggestions, seedlings. 50% bark and 50% polystyrene. well-balanced nutrient during summer. advice and editing. Ideally cuttings are placed in a READING well-aerated propagation unit, with misting and bottom heat of Jodamus, N. 2003. . www.plantzafrica.com. 21-24 °C. Jones, C. 2007. http://aquabuchu.com/herbs.htm Cultivation Plant in full sun, in Water well after planting. Apply a Buchus are Once planted avoid disturbing the soil Jones, L. 2004. An introduction to sustainable harvesting of some soil that is acid (pH layer of mulch around the plants best planted around the roots of the plants. Buchus commercially utilised indigenous plant species in the cape floristic 5-6.5), well-drained to reduce weeds and keep the soil out during are slow growing and must not be and composted. temperature cool. autumn, placed next to fast growing plants. region edited by Lee. Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund & Plant out in-groups winter and Plant with slow growing species to Indigenous Vegetation Consultancy, Cape Town. of three to nine, spring (rainy allow each plant to develop to its full Palmer, E. 1985. The South African herbal. Tafelberg, Cape Town. 20-30 cm apart. season). potential. Prune buchus when the plants become untidy to maintain their shape Squire, P. 1886. Companion to the fourteenth edition of the British and encourage new growth. Weed on a Pharmacopoeia, J & A Churchill, London. regular basis. Van Wyk, B.-E. & Gericke, N. 2000. People’s plants: a guide to Pests and Phytopthera cinna- Apply a layer of mulch on an Active during The activity of this fungus is promoted useful plants of southern Africa. Briza, Pretoria. diseases monnii, a soil-borne annual basis to reduce soil tem- the hot sum- by high soil temperatures. It attacks the Van Wyk, B.-E., Van Oudtshoorn, B. & Gericke, N. 1997, 2009 fungus, attacks peratures. Infected plants should mer months roots system of the plant, preventing fynbos species. be removed. Treat with Fongarid®. (December to the uptake of water causing the plant to (2nd ed.). Medicinal plants of South Africa. Briza, Pretoria. February). wither rapidly and die. Williams, S. & Kepe, T. 2008. Discordant harvest: debating the Citrus caterpillar Control by hand picking or using a harvesting and commercialization of wild buchu (Agathosma defoliates the plant. stomach insecticide. betulina) in Elandskloof, South Africa. Mountain Research and Development. 28 (1), 58-64. *Instant Smoke Plus ®, seed primer is produced and distributed by the Seed Room at Kirstenbosch.

SEPTEMBER 2009 | VELD&FLORA 161