Obetia tenax
(N. E. Br.) Friis
Rock tree nettle, Mountain nettle
(c) David Gwynne-Evans, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by David Gwynne-Evans
(c) David Gwynne-Evans, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by David Gwynne-Evans
(c) setlhare, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves
Leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable. It is often mixed with the leaves of Pouzolzia mixta and eaten with porridge.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in rocky ravines in bushland. It is often on granite outcrops between 1,000-1,400 m above sea level. It is often in hot dry places.
Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe,
How to Identify
A small tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 2-7 m tall. It has soft wood. The bark is pinkish-brown and smooth. The branches have stinging hairs. Male and female flowers are probably on separate trees. The leaves are simple and alternate. They are round or heart shaped with deep teeth along the edge. The leaves are 5-15 cm long by 3-10 cm wide. They are oval but can have 3 lobes. The flowers are in short clusters in the axils of leaves. They are pinkish-green.
How to Grow
Grows best in a sunny position. Prefers a moist but well-drained soil. A moderately fast-growing plant. This species is presumed to be dioecious, in which case both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.
Propagation: Seed - The plant is easily propagated.
Medicinal Uses
The root pulp is applied on snakebites.
Other Uses
A strong fibre of good colour is obtained from the bark. It is used traditionally for making sleeping mats. The fibre is made into tough cords, ropes, nets and mats. The stripped bast resembles China grass, but is more brittle and is not so lustrous. The bark is used for thatching. The wood is soft and fibrous, with a spongy pith or hollow centre.
Names & Synonyms
Bongozimbi, Gukhunya, Lusotfo, Lutontfo, Lutiya, Mountain nettle, Mucucula, Muugana, Muvhazwi, Nmabi, Ruvashe, Thanga, Vuvatsane, Zavhazavha
References (9)
- Fox, F. W. & Young, M. E. N., 1982, Food from the Veld. Delta Books. p 359 (As Urera tenax)
- Long, C., 2005, Swaziland's Flora - siSwati names and Uses http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/
- Magwede, K., van Wyk, B.-E., & van Wyk, A. E., 2019, An inventory of Vhavenḓa useful plants. South African Journal of Botany 122 (2019) 57–89
- Ruiters-Welcome, A. K., 2019, Food plants of southern Africa. Ph.D. thesis. Univ. of Johannesburg p 106
- Schmidt, E., Lotter, M., & McCleland, W., 2007, Trees and shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park. Jacana Media p 82
- Shackleton, S. E., et al, 1998, Use and Trading of Wild Edible Herbs in the Central Lowveld Savanna Region, South Africa. Economic Botany, Vol. 52, No. 3, pp. 251-259
- Welcome, A. K. & Van Wyk, B.-E., 2019, An inventory and analysis of the food plants of southern Africa. South African Journal of Botany 122 (2019) 136–179
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- www.zimbabweflora.co.zw 2011
