Waltheria Indica | Plantz Africa

1/14/2019 Waltheria indica | Plantz Africa

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Waltheria indica

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Waltheria indica L. View other plants in this family Family: Malvaceae View other plants in this genus Common names: meidebossie (Afrikaans); isikolanjiba QR code link (IsiNdebele); mokhutesela (Sepedi); lexutasela (Sesotho); seretwane (Setswana.); delelemukula (Tshivenda)

Waltheria indica with its soft little yellow ﬂowers and zig-zag-edged leaves, can be pruned into an attractive, bushy and Plant Attributes: hardy pot plant. Plant Type: Shrub SA Distribution: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape Soil type: Sandy Flowering season: Sporadic/All year PH: Neutral Flower colour: Yellow Aspect: Full Sun Gardening skill: Average Special Features: Good potplant

Description Edible plant Waltheria indica is an erect to spreading shrublet, which is usually 300 mm to 1 m tall. Medical plant

Useful plant

Horticultural zones

Zone 1 Coastal summer rainfall, frost free Zone 4 Summer rainfall Karoo and Highveld, Frost http://pza.sanbi.org/waltheria-indica 1/5 1/14/2019 Waltheria indica | Plantz Africa

in winter Zone 5 Bushveld summer rainfall, Light frost

The thin stems, as well as the rest of the plant, are covered with star-shaped and simple hairs.

The egg-shaped leaves are greyish green and have a soft zig-zag edge, with a pointed to round tip.

The ﬂowers appear throughout the year and are clustered together between the leaves and stems. The ﬂowers have 3 bracts and a cup-like, green (becoming brown with age) calyx with 5 yellow petals, which are fused together at their base http://pza.sanbi.org/waltheria-indica 2/5 1/14/2019 Waltheria indica | Plantz Africa

and turn reddish brown at maturity.

The fruits are small, 1-seeded capsules and sit in the calyx cup until becoming brown and dry. These perennial plants are quite hardy and spread easily.

Conservation Status Waltheria indica is a widespread species and, according to the Red List of South African plants, has a conservation status of Least Concern (LC).

Distribution and habitat Waltheria indica is found mostly in the northern part of South Africa, extending into Namibia and Botswana and tropical Africa. It is also found in the tropics and subtropics of the old and new worlds. It grows in most habitats, including open grasslands or woodlands, rocky slopes and along rivers, and can be found in human-disturbed areas in sandy soils.

Derivation of name and historical aspects Waltheria indica is the only species in the genus which is distributed in southern Africa. This species is quite distinct from other species of Malvaceae in having a 1-locule ovary, whereas the other genera have 2 or more locules. The genus name http://pza.sanbi.org/waltheria-indica 3/5 1/14/2019 Waltheria indica | Plantz Africa

Waltheria, was used to honour the German anatomist, botanist and physician Augustin Friedrich Walther (1688–1746). The speciﬁc epithet indica associates the species with India.

Ecology The tiny yellow ﬂowers seem to attract different ﬂying insects, such as bees. The 1-seeded capsules dry out and become brown, and will germinate in suitable moist soil, once they have fallen.

Uses The leaves of Waltheria indica are used as a leafy vegetable by the Vavhenda people of South Africa and the plant is used for barrenness by Shangaan woman. The roots, leaves and whole plant have been used to combat sexually transmitted infections, urinary tract infections, and a variety of infant illnesses in Limpopo. Because of its spreading nature, Waltheria indica makes an ideal pot plant.

Growing Waltheria indica Waltheria indica has a spreading nature and can be found growing in small patches in full sun. The plant is more attractive in a pot where it can be pruned to become bushy. Collect the 1-seeded capsules before they turn completely brown and let them dry before sifting out the seeds. The seeds will take 1 to 3 months to germinate in a damp planting mix and the seedlings can thrive in a variety of soils.

References Foden, W. & Potter, L. 2005. Waltheria indica L. National Assessment: Red List of South African plants version 2017.1. Accessed on 2018/07/09. Magwede, K., Van Wyk, B.-E. & Van Wyk, A.E. 2018. An inventory of Vhavenḓa useful plants. South African Journal of Botany (2018), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2017.12.013 Mongalo N.I., Opoku A.R. & Zobolo A.M. 2012. Antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the extracts of Waltheria indica Linn. collected from Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 6(43): 5593–5598. Smith, C.A. 1966. Common names of South African plants. Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South Africa No. 35. Verdoorn I.C. 1981. The genus Waltheria in southern Africa. Bothalia 13, 3&4: 275, 276. http://pza.sanbi.org/waltheria-indica 4/5 1/14/2019 Waltheria indica | Plantz Africa

Siyabonga Tibini and Ashton Welcome National Herbarium, Pretoria October 2018

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