EXPLORE A TOPIC
Local plants
Guides in this topic
21 guidesWild medlar: document and grow a locally useful fruit tree
Wild medlar, Vangueria infausta, is an indigenous African shrub or small tree with edible ripe fruit. It can be part of a diverse food landscape where the site suits it. Its value is easier to assess from local specimens than from a promise of rapid orchard production.
Corky-bark monkey-orange: identification comes before harvest
Corky-bark monkey-orange, Strychnos cocculoides, is a fruit-bearing tree of parts of tropical and southern Africa, including northern Namibia. Its hard-shelled fruit attracts interest, but “monkey-orange” is not a sufficient identification for food use.
Mongongo or manketti: a long-term tree for suitable sandy landscapes
Mongongo, also called manketti, is Schinziophyton rautanenii. Its fruit and kernels have longstanding food value in parts of southern Africa. Growing it is a long-term landscape decision, especially where deep sandy soils and a warm summer-rainfall climate resemble its natural setting.
Camelthorn: protect existing trees and establish the next generation
Camelthorn, Vachellia erioloba, is a characteristic tree of dry southern African landscapes. Older references call it Acacia erioloba. Its shade, habitat and long life make protecting existing trees and young natural regeneration a useful starting point.
Baobab: choose a warm site and think in generations
An African baobab, Adansonia digitata, can become a remarkable long-lived tree. It is a landscape commitment with eventual food and habitat value, not a quick solution for a small vegetable garden. Start with climate, space and responsibility for the tree’s future.
Sea spinach on the Namibian coast: identify the plant first
“Sea spinach” is a common name, not a reliable botanical identification. Coastal plants can offer food and habitat value, but a plant growing near salt water is not automatically edible or suitable for collection.
Cactus fodder: identify the plant before feeding it
Known fodder cactus can be useful in a dryland feeding plan, but “a cactus” is not a feed identification. Start with the species, cultivar and animal. An animal eating a small piece does not prove that an unfamiliar plant is safe.
Seed balls: test establishment before scattering widely
Seed balls are one way of placing seed, not a promise that plants will establish. The important result is survival after the difficult season. Begin with appropriate local species, permission to work on the site and a small comparison you can revisit.
Identifying useful plants: turn a local observation into shared knowledge
A useful plant record connects a name with the actual plant, its growing place and the experience people have with it. Good photographs and careful questions help the community build knowledge without confusing similar species or losing valuable local names.