Cancer Bush

Edibility: 

While traditionally used in remedies, direct consumption is not generally recommended due to potential toxicity.

Toxicity: 

Contains L-canavanine, which can be toxic in large quantities; caution advised in consumption.

Uses: 

Traditionally used in South African folk medicine for a variety of ailments, including immune support. Modern research is investigating its potential medicinal properties.

Ecology: 

• Acts as a pioneer species in disturbed areas; nitrogen-fixing legume improving soil fertility. 

• Attracts sunbirds and other nectar-feeding species.

• It shows remarkable variation within its distribution.

Distribution and habitat: 

• Occurs naturally throughout the dry parts of Southern Africa, including the Western Cape and up the west coast as far north as Namibia and into Botswana, and in the western Karoo to the Eastern Cape. It is also found in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga

• Arid and semi-arid regions; open grasslands and rocky slopes.

Derivation of name:

• The genus Lessertia is named after Jules Paul Benjamin de Lessert, a French industrialist, banker, and amateur botanist.

• It was previously known as Sutherlandia frutescens. The genus Sutherlandia was named after James Sutherland, first Superintendent of the Edinburgh Botanic Garden.

• The species name frutescens means bushy in Latin.

• The name 'klapper' (meaning rattle) is applied to many species whose seeds rattle about in the mature, dry pods.

• The names 'eendjies' and 'gansiekeurtjie' refer to the inflated fruits which float on water and are used by children as toy ducks (eendjies) and toy geese (gansies).

Historical aspects:

• This plant is one of the most talked about in the ethnobotanical world.

• It has long been known, used, and respected as a medicinal plant in Southern Africa.

• The original inhabitants of the Cape, the Khoi San and Nama people, used it mainly as a decoction for washing wounds and took it internally to bring down fevers.

• The early colonists regarded it as giving successful results in the treatment of chicken pox, stomach problems, and internal cancers.

• It was also known to have been used in the treatment of eye troubles, with the eyes being bathed with a decoction of the plant.

• It continues to be used to this day as a remedy for the above-mentioned ailments. Farm workers in the Cape still use it to treat eye troubles.

Interesting facts:

• This plant is quite the multi-tasker – not only does it have a strong reputation for fighting serious illnesses, but its inflated seed pods are also used by kids as toy ducks! Talk about versatile.

• Even though it's called "Kankerbos" (Cancer Bush) in Afrikaans, its uses go far beyond just cancer treatment, covering everything from stomach upsets to feeling a bit stressed out.

• It might be short-lived in your garden, but don't worry, it's a keen self-seeder, so new plants will pop up to take its place.

Growing tips:

• Fast-growing and easy to grow, but short-lived as a garden subject.

• It is a tough, hardy plant that does well in full sun.

• Tolerates all soil types and occurs in both summer and winter rainfall regions.

• Quite drought-tolerant, so does not require much watering.

• When growing in containers, ensure it is well-drained and don't over-water.

• It is quite pest-resistant.

• Plants seed themselves readily, so that as older plants start to look past their best, they can be removed.

• Sow seeds in autumn or spring in well-drained soil.

• Germination is improved if seeds are left to soak for about 4 hours or overnight in water hot enough for you to put your hand in.