Common Name:

General Information

Melianthus comosus is a multi-stemmed, evergreen, perennial plant producing semi-woody stems from a woody rootstock. It grows from 70 - 240cm tall. All parts of the plant produce a strong, unpleasant smell when bruised[].
A commonly used traditional medicine in S. Africa, where it is sold in local markets[].
Melianthus comosus has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major
threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2021)[].

Known Hazards

The plant is widely held to be toxic amongst traditional herbalists in S. Africa, where the plant is used in external medicinal applications[].

Botanical References

Range

Southern Africa - Namibia, South Africa, Lesotho.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Birds
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of drier areas, mainly in the subtropics, but extending into the tropical zone.
Prefers a light, well-drained, fertile soil[].
The bruised leaves have a disagreeable smell[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A common traditional medicine in S. Africa, where it is normally only used externally since it is believed to be toxic[].
The plant has been shown to contain saponins and tannins[].

The root is used both prophylactically and therapeutically in the treatment of snakebite - for this purpose the root is chewed and a root bark tincture applied locally to the wound[]. A leaf paste or decoction is also utilised for snakebite[]

Leaf poultices and leaf decoctions are widely used to treat septic wounds, sores, bruises, backache and rheumatic joints[].
Warm aqueous leaf infusions may be applied as a lotion to sores, ulcers, bruises, swellings or wounds that are slow to heal, including venereal sores[]. A leaf paste may be applied as a local dressing to the affected area[].
An ointment of the bark, leaf and flower is used in combination with Melianthus major, Lobostemon fruticosus and Galenia africana to treat wounds[].
A decoction is used as an antiseptic wash for skin diseases[]. A watery lotion of similar composition is used to treat syphilis and as a gargle for sore throat[].
A bath medicated with the herb is said to induce sweating and to relieve joint pains[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Easily propagated from seed, which is large, black and easy to handle[]. Sow the seed when it is ripe in deep seed trays in a medium of compost only[]. When sowing seed in the colder months, germination may take about four weeks[]. Cover the seeds, keep them moist, leave the seedlings in the trays until the fourth leaf stage. Transplant into a medium of 2 parts compost and 2 parts loam[].

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