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Indigenous Knowledge on the Uses and Morphological Variation among Strychnos spinosa Lam. at Oyemeni Area, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Zoliswa Mbhele

    (Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa)

  • Godfrey Elijah Zharare

    (Department of Agriculture, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa)

  • Clement Zimudzi

    (Department of Biological Sciences and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare P.O. Box MP167, Zimbabwe)

  • Nontuthuko Rosemary Ntuli

    (Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa)

Abstract

The majority of rural communities in South Africa are characterised by insufficient nutrition and food insecurity at the household level. Due to a lack of information about indigenous fruit trees and their use, food-insecure households are missing out on the nutrition that these fruits provide. Strychnos spinosa Lam. (monkey orange; umHlala ) has been identified as one of southern Africa’s top priority fruit species for domestication. However, indigenous information on S. spinosa usage and morphological diversity is still lacking. Indigenous knowledge of species characteristics might be a good place to start when attempting to understand variations in key phenotypic traits. Information on the use and morphological variation of S. spinosa was collected from participants of 100 randomly selected homesteads. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The results indicate that S. spinosa is a multi-purpose tree with numerous uses. Most respondents (97%) mentioned that they use it for fermented maize meal ( umBhantshi ); and others mentioned fermented porridge ( amaHewu ); alcohol; fruit; juice; jam; homestead protection; snakebite; firewood; food allergy; livestock increase; and only 7% mentioned for stomachache. Morphological variation was observed in leaf colour and shape, fruit rind colour, size, rind texture, pulp colour, pulp texture, and taste. However, the most mentioned variety featured green (78%), rounded leaves (78%) and green (39%), large (46%), smooth-textured rind (73%) fruits that had brown pulp (54%) and tasted sweet (58%). Understanding local knowledge systems and preferences can thus inform the selection of ethno-varieties that hold importance to local people and the potential to improve livelihoods in externally led domestication and development programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Zoliswa Mbhele & Godfrey Elijah Zharare & Clement Zimudzi & Nontuthuko Rosemary Ntuli, 2022. "Indigenous Knowledge on the Uses and Morphological Variation among Strychnos spinosa Lam. at Oyemeni Area, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-20, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:11:p:6623-:d:826581
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sejabaledi A. Rankoana, 2016. "Sustainable Use and Management of Indigenous Plant Resources: A Case of Mantheding Community in Limpopo Province, South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-13, March.
    2. Roger R. B. Leakey & Marie-Louise Tientcheu Avana & Nyong Princely Awazi & Achille E. Assogbadjo & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi & Prasad S. Hendre & Ann Degrande & Sithabile Hlahla & Leonard Manda, 2022. "The Future of Food: Domestication and Commercialization of Indigenous Food Crops in Africa over the Third Decade (2012–2021)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-75, February.
    3. Ruth T. Ngadze & Ruud Verkerk & Loveness K. Nyanga & Vincenzo Fogliano & Anita R. Linnemann, 2017. "Improvement of traditional processing of local monkey orange (Strychnos spp.) fruits to enhance nutrition security in Zimbabwe," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 9(3), pages 621-633, June.
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