Thesium lacinulatum is a species of plant from South Africa and Namibia.

Thesium lacinulatum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Santalales
Family: Santalaceae
Genus: Thesium
Species:
T. lacinulatum
Binomial name
Thesium lacinulatum
A.W.Hill
Synonyms[1]
  • Thesium cruciatum A.W.Hill

Description

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Thesium lacinulatum is a bush that grows to be about 30 cm (1 ft) tall. The tips of the branches are spiny. It is fully covered in very short hairs. The leaves are rigid and grow closely against the stem. They are slender and lance-shaped with brownish tips.[2]

The axillary flowers have small scaly bracts with tapering tips. The anthers extend past the conical perianth tube. The fruits are bright green and spherical. They are slightly reticulate between their ten ribs.[2]

Distribution and habitat

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This plant grows in dry shrubland areas of South Africa and Namibia.[3] In South Africa it grows in the Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces.[4]

Uses

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The roots are crushed and boiled for use in traditional medicine in Namibia.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Thesium lacinulatum". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b e-Flora of South Africa. v1.36. 2022. South African National Biodiversity Institute. http://ipt.sanbi.org.za/iptsanbi/resource?r=flora_descriptions&v=1.36
  3. ^ "Thesium lacinulatum A.W.Hill | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
  4. ^ "African Plant Database". africanplantdatabase.ch. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
  5. ^ Tjiurutue, Muvari Connie; Kwembeya, Ezekeil G.; Maass, Erika (2019). Ramasami, Ponnadurai; Gupta Bhowon, Minu; Jhaumeer Laulloo, Sabina; Li Kam Wah, Henri (eds.). "Parasitic Plants of Namibia". Chemistry for a Clean and Healthy Planet. Cham: Springer International Publishing: 169–183. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-20283-5_11. ISBN 978-3-030-20283-5.