scholarly journals The diversity and multiple uses of southern African legumes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben-Erik Van Wyk

Southern Africa has a rich legume flora comprising 133 indigenous genera and 1620 indigenous species, of which 1059 species (65%) are endemic to the flora of southern Africa region. An additional 128 non-indigenous species have become naturalised, of which 59 are invasive, resulting in 1748 species from 165 genera. There are 22 (17%) endemic genera, one endemic tribe (Hypocalyptieae) and one near-endemic tribe (Podalyrieae, with 122 of the 123 species endemic). The diversity of uses (given as total/indigenous spp.) include food and beverages (127/115 spp.), medicine (338/291 spp.), magic and charms (113/104 spp.), timber (59/55 spp.), firewood (43/31 spp.) and 10 more minor use categories. Regression analyses showed that the levels of endemism in subfamilies and tribes are directly related to the numbers of species but that the number of useful species is not related to species numbers, except for the non-papilionoid subfamilies (all uses) and non-genistoid papilionoids (medicinal uses only). The Phaseoleae and Millettieae showed high residual values in several analyses, indicating that they have been favoured in the selection of useful plants. Diversity in habit and chemistry seems to explain at least partly the use patterns.

Bothalia ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-426
Author(s):  
J. H. Ross

Recently Brenan. in Kew Bull. 21 : 477-480 (1968). upheld  Acacia brevispica Harms and A. schweinfurthii Brenan Exell as distinct species and recognized two subspecies within A. brevispica. These conclusions differ from earlier results published by Ross Gordon- Gray in Brittonia 18: 44-63 (1966). Consequently it was considered necessary to re-examine these species in preparation for the account of  Acacia for the Flora of Southern Africa. Distribution maps of the two species are provided and the differences between the species tabulated and discussed. Despite certain difficulties in Natal. Brenan's taxonomic conclusions are adopted. A map showing the distribution of  A. schweinfurthii and  A. brevispica subsp. dregeana in Natal is provided and a selection of Natal specimens cited.


Bothalia ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. F. Franklin Hennessy

The two genera represented in the flora of southern Africa.  Erythrina L. and  Mucuna Adans. are revised. Keys to the indigenous species and the commonly cultivated exotic species are provided.


Bothalia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Cheek

Background: Nymphoides peltata is a hydrophyte with a nymphaeid growth form and is known to be an invader of aquatic ecosystems.Objectives: To document the presence of N. peltata outside of cultivation in southern Africa.Method: Herbarium vouchers of newly collected material were compared against the vouchers of indigenous members of the genus and with the relevant botanical literature to confirm the identity of the species.Results: Nymphoides peltata is confirmed as occurring outside of cultivation for the first time in South Africa. The species was recorded from two dams adjacent to the Umgeni River in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands.Conclusion: This is the first record of a non-indigenous species of the Menyanthaceae family for South Africa outside of cultivation and adds to our knowledge of the alien aquatic flora of the region. Nymphoides peltata is listed as a Category 1a species, which means that it should be eradicated.


Author(s):  
Henn Ojaveer ◽  
Jonne Kotta ◽  
Okko Outinen ◽  
Heli Einberg ◽  
Anastasija Zaiko ◽  
...  

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 3712
Author(s):  
Ryan D. Rattray ◽  
Ben-Erik Van Wyk

The Lamiaceae is undoubtedly an important plant family, having a rich history of use that spans the globe with many species being used in folk medicine and modern industries alike. Their ability to produce aromatic volatile oils has made them valuable sources of materials in the cosmetic, culinary, and pharmaceutical industries. A thorough account of the taxonomic diversity, chemistry and ethnobotany is lacking for southern African Lamiaceae, which feature some of the region’s most notable medicinal and edible plant species. We provide a comprehensive insight into the Lamiaceae flora of southern Africa, comprising 297 species in 42 genera, 105 of which are endemic to the subcontinent. We further explore the medicinal and traditional uses, where all genera with documented uses are covered for the region. A broad review of the chemistry of southern African Lamiaceae is presented, noting that only 101 species (34%) have been investigated chemically (either their volatile oils or phytochemical characterization of secondary metabolites), thus presenting many and varied opportunities for further studies. The main aim of our study was therefore to present an up-to-date account of the botany, chemistry and traditional uses of the family in southern Africa, and to identify obvious knowledge gaps.


Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 606
Author(s):  
Daria Sanna ◽  
Ilenia Azzena ◽  
Fabio Scarpa ◽  
Piero Cossu ◽  
Angela Pira ◽  
...  

In the fresh waters of Sardinia (Italy), the non-indigenous crayfish species Procambarus clarkii has been reported from 2005, but, starting from 2019, there have been several reports of a new non-indigenous crayfish in southern and central areas of this Mediterranean island, and its morphology suggests that this species may be the marbled crayfish Procambarus virginalis. Forty-seven individuals of this putative species were analyzed, using the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I as molecular marker to identify this crayfish and investigate the level of genetic variability within the recently established population. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses were carried out on a dataset including sequences from the Sardinian individuals and from all congenerics available in GenBank. Results showed that the new Sardinian crayfish belong to the species P. virginalis. All the sequences belonging to P. virginalis from European countries are identical, with only few exceptions found among Sardinian individuals. In conclusion, this paper highlights the occurrence of a new further alien species in the Sardinian fresh waters, which are already characterized by the high presence of non-indigenous species.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. e71255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Le T. P. Nghiem ◽  
Tarek Soliman ◽  
Darren C. J. Yeo ◽  
Hugh T. W. Tan ◽  
Theodore A. Evans ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Francesco Mastrototaro ◽  
Antonella Petrocelli ◽  
Ester Cecere ◽  
Alfonso Matarrese

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