South African Conversations sample articles

18
southafrican CONVERSATiONS
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5. Lambsquarters
/ Fat Hen (Scientific name:
Chenopodium album – part of the
amaranth family)
6. Plantain. (Broadleaf
plantain. Scientific name: Plantago
major. Ribwort or narrow leaf plantain.
Scientific name: Plantago lanceolata. )
7. Purslane &
Shoreline Purslane.
(Scientific name: Portulaca oleracea.
Belongs to the same family as
Spekboom, which is often referred
to as a Purslane Tree. Spekboom,
though, does not have nearly the same
nutritional benefits as purslane.)
Appearance | Wedge-shaped
oval leaves with saw-like edges –
often blue-green. Often have a white
powdery, non-toxic coating at the top
of the plant and under the leaves.
Where does it grow? | A hardy
plant that likes sunshine.
Poisonous look-alikes | No
poisonous look-alikes.
Nutritional value | Rich in vitamins
A & C, iron and zinc.
Good for | Cleansing toxins from
the body, soothing arthritic joint pain,
reducing inflammation, supporting the
healing of anaemic blood conditions.
Parts of the plant used | Leaves,
flowers & seeds.
Taste | Tastes like spinach.
How to use | Cook the leaves &
flowers like spinach, add them to
dishes or make tea with them. The
seeds can be ground into flour.
Appearance | There are long
and narrow leaf, as well as broadleaf
plantain plants – both edible and
medicinal. Five to nine veins run over
the length of the smooth-edged leaf.
The rosette of ribbed leaves spread
in a circle from one base point. Tall,
green, pencil-shaped flower/seed
stalks. Not related to the banana
known as plantain.
Where does it grow? | In areas
disturbed by humans.
Poisonous look-alikes | Very few
natural look-alikes, and the plants that
do are all non-toxic.
Nutritional value | Rich in betacarotene
and minerals, especially
calcium.
Good for | Skin poultices on
wounds, sores or insect stings.
Parts of the plant used | Leaves
& seeds
Taste | Tastes like wheatgrass juice.
How to use | Use young greens in
salads. Cook older leaves like spinach.
Use the tiny black seeds as a source
of fibre or a thickener, like psyllium
seeds.
Appearance | Smooth, reddish
stems. Thick, succulent leaves. Yellow
flowers with 5 petals.
Where does it grow? | Everywhere!
Not picky about soil type or condition.
Gardeners root them up, not knowing
it’s a superfood they’re throwing away.
Poisonous look-alikes | Spurge:
also grows close to the ground, but
leaves are marked and much thinner.
Nutritional value | Contains
more Omega 3 fatty acids than some
species of fish. Rich in vitamins A & C,
magnesium, manganese, potassium,
iron and antioxidants.
Good for | Brain development, heart
health, asthma and diabetes. It is a
natural anti-depressant.
Parts of the plant used | Leaves.
Taste | Lemony
How to use | Add leaves to salads,
sandwiches, smoothies, soups & stews.