Common Name:

General Information

Dicerocaryum eriocarpum is a perennial (sometimes annual) scramblimg plant producing stems up to 3.5 metres long that usually scramble over the ground[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use.

Known Hazards

The fruits consist of an oval disk with two sharp thorns - these thorns are liable to embed themselves in the shoes, or in the feet of people walking barefood![].

Botanical References

Range

Southern Africa - southern Angola, Namibia, southern Zambia, Botswana, northern S. Africa.

Habitat

In grassland on sand, on dune slopes and river banks, at elevations from 900 - 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.10 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of drier areas in the tropics and subtropics, where it is generally found at elevations between 900 - 1,200 metres.
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Prefers a sandy soil[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The fruit is considered to be an all-purpose remedy, used when 'nothing else helps'[]. A decoction is made using three fruits plus some of the pounded root[].

The roots are used in the treatment of chest pains[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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