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African Plants Used Around The World

African Plants Used Around The World

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African plants and trees are major contributors to the global market for cut flowers, ornamentals, herbs, oils and supplements. South Africa alone is home to 10 percent of the world’s flowering species. The diversity and abundance of South African plants are one of the reasons the country is such a popular tourist destination. Many of the following plants and trees are native to other regions Africa. You can find some of them in gardens around the world.

Source: Wikipedia, SA-Venues

en.mr-ginseng.com
en.mr-ginseng.com

Aloe

This succulent found at a lot of desert resorts can reach up to 3.5 meters tall and has several healing properties. It’s 500-plus species are native to South Africa and tropical Africa, Madagascar, Jordan, the Arabian Peninsula, and various islands in the Indian Ocean. A few species have also become naturalized in the Mediterranean, India, Australia, North and South America.

Source: Wiki

younglivingoillady.com
younglivingoillady.com

Lavender

Lavender fields are gorgeous. One of the plant’s main pollinators are butterflies. Lavender belongs to the same botanical family as mint, thyme, sage, basil and rosemary and is often used in aromatherapy oils. Lavender is a hybrid plant, and grows in several regions from the Atlantic Islands to Arabia, but you can find it cultivated in several places in North and East Africa.

http://flickr.com/photos/botanischer_garten_da/2667027683/. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
http://flickr.com/photos/botanischer_garten_da/2667027683/. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

 

Japanese Lantern

This delicate, colorful flower actually grows in East and Southern tropical Africa, Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania. Hibiscus contains vitamin C and is popular in teas. Hibiscus flowers are also the main ingredient of a Jamaican drink called sorrel and in Cambodia, hibiscus petals are dipped in hot water, then infused with lime juice, honey and cold water. Its common names include Japanese lantern, coral hibiscus, spider hibiscus and fringed rosemallow.

Source: wiki

orchidomen.net
orchidomen.net

Madagascar Orchid

This dramatic looking, star-shaped flower is called “Darwin’s orchid” because of the scientist’s accurate prediction that only long-tubed moths could pollinate it. The flower is unique because its spicy scent gets stronger after sundown. It grows in east and south east Madagascar, mostly on tree trunks.

panoramio.com
panoramio.com

Olive

The tree that produces our favorite treat to eat with wine, or to make tapenade out of, is actually a stunning one. The trunk has fissured bark and the branches grow off-white flowers. Around 10 million tons of olives are processed each year for their oil, and of course the olive branch is an integral part of several myths. The tree grows all over the world and many parts of Africa.

deepculturetravel.com
deepculturetravel.com

Red mangrove

This almost mystical-looking aquatic plant can grow to be 20 meters tall, is extremely strong and rarely knocked over by the ocean tide. Extracts from the bark are often used in coloring leather, but might also have antioxidant properties. The mangrove also provides a habitat for several fish and sea animals. It grows in Senegal, Angola, Western Africa and throughout the tropics.

livingafield.com
livingafield.com

 

Stinging nettle

Gardeners have a love-hate relationship with this pretty plant since when touched it can leave a stinging sensation on one’s skin for hours. That’s also why it’s nicknamed “The Devil’s plaything.” Since the plant needs phosphates to survive, it thrives near human beings, with our phosphate-rich garbage dumps. Even though they can sting, nettles have long been eaten in soups and drank in teas. The plant grows in North Africa, where it finds nitrogen-rich ground.

sprig.co.za
sprig.co.za

 

September bush

This vibrant flower is a favorite in bouquets and easy to find, since it blooms several times throughout the year, but its peak season is in the spring — September in the southern hemisphere. Old farmer’s legend has it that the plant enhances milk production in livestock. It is native to South Africa, from the Bokkeveld Mountains in the Western Cape to Kwazulu-Natal.

commons.wikimedia.org
commons.wikimedia.org

Erica versicolor

These multicolored, tubular flowers that grow in bundles bloom for the majority of the year. The tropical colors make it a favorite amongst gardeners as an ornamental plant. Known as fynbos, it grows on the sandstone slopes of the Cedarberg and Langeberg mountains in South Africa, and is part of the Cape floral kingdom, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

edenproject.com
edenproject.com

Raffia

Raffia gives a cool jungle vibe to a garden, with its enormous, fanning branches and multiple trunks per tree. Extracts from the plant are sometimes used to make textiles, mats, baskets and hats, as well as gardening string. The sap can be used to make wine, and the wax can be used to make floor and shoe polish. It is native to Madagascar, but today grows all over tropical Africa.