Melianthus comosus

Melianthus comosus, in Afrikaans commonly called kruidjie-roer-my-nie (little-herb-touch-me-not) along with some other species of the genus, is a strong growing, branched shrub. It reaches heights from 70 cm to 2,4 m.

The leaves are large and leathery, pinnately divided, grey-green with serrated edges, folded and curved along the main axis. When they are touched or bruised they exude a strong, unpleasant odour. This gave the plant its Afrikaans common name holding the veiled threat that it will stink if you touch it.

The flowers are presented in spring on short drooping racemes of red flowers with some black markings on the inside. They are about 2,5 cm across and tend to turn brick-red or brown later. The plants attract birds, bees and butterflies by producing much nectar, ensuring their visits. The fruits are attractive greenish white, four-winged, bladder-like capsules.

The species distribution is widespread in much of the southern and central parts of South Africa, found in all provinces except KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo but also in some neighbouring states.

The plant grows in rocky areas and loamy soil in riverine scrub. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century.

Injuries and sores, also ringworm and rheumatism are treated in traditional medicine by making leaf poultices from plant parts. Dried leaves are also used. The medicinal value of the plant is shared with other members of the genus, particularly M. pectinatus, M. major and M. elongatus (Van Wyk and Gericke, 2000; iNaturalist; https://pza.sanbi.org; http://redlist.sanbi.org).