Swaziland's Flora - siSwati Names and Uses

Compiled by Chris Long, © December 2005

PORTULACACEAE
Talinum
arnotii (Porcupine Root) mphunyuka, umpunyu,
Cultural:	Charm against lightning.
Household:	Leaves used for soap.
Medicinal:	Bulb medicinal for stomach ache, chest & abdomen & for TB.
Food:	Edible leaves
paniculatum (Porcupine Root)
Food:	Edible leaves.
tenuissimum (Porcupine Root)
Medicinal:	Medicinal
Portulacaria
afra (Elephant's Foot) sidondwane,
Honey:	An excellent bee tree.
Soil Conservation:	Used to check soil erosion.
Fodder:	Fodder. Withstands much browsing.
Medicinal:	Dried leaves for snuff. Leaves stimulate milk production.
Food:	Edible leaves with pleasant acid flavour.
Portulaca
oleracea * (Purslane) silele,
Medicinal:	Digestive disorders. Diuretic. Anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, anti-oxidant.
Food:	Edible leaves sometimes pickled. Edible shoots. Source of vitamin C.
quadrifida (Wild Purslane) emahenjana, emalenyane, emayenjane, emayenjani, linyanjani, liyenjane, mahenjani,
Food:	Edible leaves