Family: Celastraceae

Scientific name: Salacia leptoclada

Authority: Tul.

Synonyms: Salacia baumannii Loes., Salacia wardii I.Verd.

Zulu names: amaphunzana, amampunzane, insundwane, ubangalala, uhlangahomo, unhlangomo, insundwane

Other names: lemon rope, sand lemon-rope (English) lemoentjietou, sand-lemoentjietou (Afrikaans)

Plant description: S. leptoclada is a small tree (or shrub) that grows to between 1 and 4 m in height. It has glossy dark green leaves with a pale underside, yellow to greenish-yellow flowers, and orange to orange-red fruits containing seeds. The shrub is distributed throughout eastern Africa.

Uses:

The roots are used to treat sexual disorders in men.
The roots are used as an aphrodisiac.
The plant is used to treat asthma, diarrhoea, and malaria.
The plant is for making baskets.
The young and mature leaves and ripe fruits are eaten by chimpanzee mothers and their infants.

Safety precaution:

Using traditional medicine responsibly can enhance your overall health and well-being. Misuse and abuse can lead to complications. You can inquire about the correct use of traditional medicine from a knowledgeable herbalist and practitioner. You can also visit imithiyesintu.co.za or email: info@imithiyesintu.co.za to learn more about traditional medicine

References and further reading:

Drewes, S.E., Selepe, M.A., Van Heerden, F.R., Archer, R.H. and Mitchell, D., 2013. Unravelling the names, origins and chemistry of “muthis” used for male sexual disorders in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. South African Journal of Botany, 88, pp.310-316.
Gaugris, J.Y. and Van Rooyen, M.W., 2007. The structure and harvesting potential of the sand forest in Tshanini Game Reserve, South Africa. South African Journal of Botany, 73(4), pp.611-622.
Loffler, L. and Loffler, P., 2005. Swaziland Tree Atlas.
Leshwedi, M., 2012. The Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Salacia Leptoclada and Warburgia Salutaris: Their Possible Role as Therapeutic Agents in Crystalline Silica-Induced Cellular Injury. University of Johannesburg (South Africa).
Ruphin, F.P., Baholy, R., Emmanue, A., Amelie, R., Martin, M.T. and Koto-te-Nyiwa, N., 2013. Antiplasmodial, cytotoxic activities and characterization of a new naturally occurring quinone methide pentacyclic triterpenoid derivative isolated from Salacia leptoclada Tul.(Celastraceae) originated from Madagascar. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 3(10), pp.780-784.
Tarnaud, L., 2004. Ontogeny of feeding behavior of Eulemur fulvus in the dry forest of Mayotte. International Journal of Primatology, 25(4), pp.803.