Thesium lacinulatum explained

Thesium lacinulatum is a species of plant from South Africa and Namibia.

Description

Thesium lacinulatum is a bush that grows to be about 30cm (10inches) tall. The tips of the branches are spiny. It is fully covered in very short hairs. The leaves are rigid and grow closely against the stem. They are slender and lance-shaped with brownish tips.^[1]

The axillary flowers have small scaly bracts with tapering tips. The anthers extend past the conical perianth tube. The fruits are bright green and spherical. They are slightly reticulate between their ten ribs.

Distribution and habitat

This plant grows in dry shrubland areas of South Africa and Namibia.^[2] In South Africa it grows in the Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces.^[3]

Uses

The roots are crushed and boiled for use in traditional medicine in Namibia.^[4]

References

1. e-Flora of South Africa. v1.36. 2022. South African National Biodiversity Institute. http://ipt.sanbi.org.za/iptsanbi/resource?r=flora_descriptions&v=1.36
2. Web site: Thesium lacinulatum A.W.Hill Plants of the World Online Kew Science . 2023-03-01 . Plants of the World Online . en.
3. Web site: African Plant Database . 2023-03-01 . africanplantdatabase.ch.
4. Tjiurutue . Muvari Connie . Kwembeya . Ezekeil G. . Maass . Erika . 2019 . Ramasami . Ponnadurai . Gupta Bhowon . Minu . Jhaumeer Laulloo . Sabina . Li Kam Wah . Henri . Parasitic Plants of Namibia . Chemistry for a Clean and Healthy Planet . en . Cham . Springer International Publishing . 169–183 . 10.1007/978-3-030-20283-5_11 . 978-3-030-20283-5.