Xerophyta spekei
Baker
Velloziaceae
Barbacenia aequatorialis (Rendle) Harms
Barbacenia helenae Buscal. & Muschl.
Barbacenia spekei (Baker) Harms
Barbacenia tomentosa Pax
Vellozia aequatorialis Rendle
Vellozia spekei (Baker) B.D.Jacks.
Vellozia tomentosa (T.Durand & Schinz) Baker
Xerophyta aequatorialis (Rendle) N.L.Menezes
Xerophyta tomentosa T.Durand & Schinz
Common Name:
General Information
Xerophyta spekei is a very variable, much-branched shrub or a tree; it can grow from 2 - 5 metres tall. The stems are up to 13cm in diameter; they are covered with persistent leaf-sheaths, with tufts of grass-like leaves at the ends[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
610- Title
- Flora of Tropical East Africa
- Publication
-
- Author
- Beentje H.J.
- Website
- http://plants.jstor.org/search?st=396814
- Publisher
- Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Available on-line, a modern flora of East Africa.
Range
Tropical Africa - Ethiopia, DR Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia.
Habitat
Rock outcrops, at elevations from 300 - 1,900 metres[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Shrub |
| Height | 3.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Established plants are very drought tolerant.
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
In traditional medicine the leaf is used in case of stiffness of the neck or other body parts; a piece of cloth is put on the aching part, and the area is rubbed with the warmed leaf[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Other Uses
The stem is pounded and made into very strong brooms and paintbrushes[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Unspecified plant parts are used for cleaning metal pans and utensils[
299- Title
- Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.prota.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
