Melianthus major L.
Melianthaceae (Melianthus Family)South AfricaMelianthusHoney Flower |
May Photo
Plant Characteristics:
Strong scented glabrous shrub to 10 ft. or more, widely creeping roots;
lvs. odd-pinnate, 1 ft. or more long, dull green above, paler beneath; stipules
connate into 1 intra-axillary piece, attached to lower part of petiole,2 in. or
more long; lfts. 9-11, deeply serrate, to 6 in. long, petiole with cuneate wings
between lfts.; racemes densely fld., 1 ft. or more long; bracts ovate acuminate;
fls. red-brown, 1 in. long; caps. papery, 1-1.25 in. long, glabrous; disk with
nectar-bearing glands
Habitat:
A half dozen S. African shrubs, grown for ornament in warm regions.
Name:
Greek, Melian-thus, honey
flower. (Bailey 642). Latin, major,
larger. (Jaeger 148).
General:
Rare in the study area with only one plant known and this on an upper
bluff about .5 miles northerly of Big Canyon.
The original plant was discovered in 1987, by 1996 when the next photos
were taken, there were several plants covering many times more area than the
original plant. (my comments).
The entire plant is toxic, especially the root.
It contains toxic bufadienolides (cardiac glycosides) that produce, in
humans and animals, increased salivation, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, cyanosis of
the mucous membranes, rapid weak pulse and extreme exhaustion. The plants are extremely toxic, requiring only a small amount
to produce poisoning. The plant has
black nectar and is attractive to bees. The
honey is quite black and is considered toxic.
(Fuller 192,193).
The leaves are used to heal septic and necrotic wounds; the rootbark is used to
treat snakebite. (Information on identification plaque at Kirstenbosch National
Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa).
African trees or shrubs, of 3 genera and about 20 species. (Bailey 642).
Text Ref:
Bailey 642.
Photo Ref:
March-April 87 # 20; Jan-Mar 96 # 14,15; May 96 # 5A.
Identity: by John Johnson.
First Found: April 1987.
Computer Ref: Plant Data 354.
No plant specimen.
Last edit 4/15/06.
March Photo March Photo