- Cussonia spicata
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Cussonia spicata 
Cussonia spicata Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Apiales Family: Araliaceae Subfamily: Aralioideae Genus: Cussonia Species: C. spicata Binomial name Cussonia spicata
Thunb.Cussonia spicata (known as spiked cabbage tree, lowveld cabbage tree or common cabbage tree) is a tree in the Araliaceae family.
It occurs naturally in southern Africa and into tropical Africa.
It is cultivated as a garden plant and can reach a height of 15 meters. It does not tolerate extreme degrees of frost. It is one of the favorite foods for wild elephants. [1]
Leaves
Ethnomedical Uses
It has been used in traditional African medicine and its medicinal properties are being investigated.
- A bark decoction is used in the treatment of malaria, and indigestion in a similar manner to tonic water
- A root decoction is used to treat fever, venereal disease, as well as a diuretic and laxative.
- A root bark decoction is used to treat mental illness.
References
- ^ Minute 6-7; April 5 2009 episode)Naked Scientists
Categories:- Araliaceae
- Trees of South Africa
- Araliaceae stubs
- Tree stubs
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