African Wildlife & Environment Issue 82

GARDENING FOR BIODIVERSITY

Charles and Julia Botha are the authors of Bring Nature Back to your Garden of which the first edition won a University of KwaZulu-Natal book prize for popularizing science. It explains the important conservation-friendly gardening principles in easy to-understand, non-scientific language and has now been split into two editions: one for the western part of the country and another for the eastern and northern regions. There is also an isiZulu edition. Their follow up book Bring Butterflies Back to your Garden , describes over 500 recorded butterfly larval host-plants. All proceeds of their books go to the Botanical Education Trust, which funds research aimed at conserving South Africa’s indigenous flora. The books are available from the Flora & Fauna Publication Trust at https://www.floratrust.co.za/ or request your local bookstore to stock them! by cultivating imported species of plants as garden subjects here. In old farm yards, in some areas of this country, surviving stands of P. auriculata bear testimony to the popularity of the plant with settlers, who are said to have used an infusion of the root to treat black water fever in cattle. Since then, an active compound plumbagin, found in the roots of all species of Plumbago , has been shown in laboratory experiments to have antibacterial and antifungal properties but to be toxic in high doses. Traditionally the powdered roots and leaves are used as a snuff, especially to relieve headaches. It is also believed that the powdered root mixed with water and applied frequently will remove a wart within a few days, while powder from roasted roots is applied for the treatment of fractures. Other alleged remedies in Africa range from treating oedema to malaria. Not only is this plant a major source of traditional medicine, but it also plays a significant role in superstitions and rituals. Parts are used as protective charms against lightning and other evils, as well as to confuse the enemy. It is even used to dispel bad dreams and to heal matrimonial discord. And if you are concerned about damage to your precious garden plants, it is said that throwing a few sticks of P. auriculata outside will divert a hail storm! Charles & Julia Botha charlesbotha@gmail.com

Also with blue flowers, plants of Ageratum species are another invasive alien problem

curse to future generations! ‘Our’ P. auriculata is cultivated in subtropical gardens across the world, especially in Australia, southern Europe and the warmer parts of America, such as Florida and California. Seen all over Texas, where it is often referred to as the Sky Flower due to its colour, it has surprisingly become a larval food-plant for several of their butterflies. While gardeners in the USA are trying to create a bit of Africa with our great plants, many South Africans are unfortunately trying to copy something foreign

42 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 82 (2022)