Sutherlandia frutescens
Family: Fabaceae
Perennial woody shrub, native to South Africa. With its deeply
divided, grey-green leaves and large, showy, bright scarlet flowers and
fascinating inflated seedpods, Sutherlandia is in high demand as a horticultural
oddity and decorative garden plant. Among the Khoi and the Nama people,
the plant is used as a bitter tonic and a general panacea. Recent
studies have identified the presence of high concentrations of amino acids
in this plant, including canavanine. The tea of the dried leaves
and twigs has been used for treating stomach problems and internal cancers.
Cultivation: Extra care. The seed has an impermeable
testa. Scarification is highly recommended. Fire treating may
improve germination. Grow plants out for a year in gallon pots before
transplanting to the garden or to the landscape. Prefers full sun
and dryish soils. Grows to 3 feet tall. Set plants 3 feet apart.
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