Furthermore, the list of Phillips (1917) is only applicable ... Diospvros austro-africana: Xtlo-ea-lekhoahaâthe house of a crow, with ..... wild potato rootstock. 2,4.
Bothalia 3 6 ,1 :2 5 -3 2 (2006)
Sesotho names for exotic and indigenous edible plants in southern Africa A. M O TEETEE*t and B-E. VAN WYK*
Keywords: edible plants, exotic plants, indigenous plants, Sesotho. southern Africa
ABSTRACT A com prehensive checklist o f Sesotho nam es o f both indigenous and exotic food plants is presented, based on a literature survey and the first author's experience. The list includes the scientific nam es. English com m on nam es and parts o f the plant that are used. W here possible, the origin or m eaning o f the Sesotho nam es is given. Exotic edible plants for which the English com m on nam es are in general use have been excluded. The list includes 164 indigenous and 39 names o f exotic species.
INTRODUCTION
The aim o f this paper is to compile, for the first time, a comprehensive checklist o f Sesotho names o f both indigenous and exotic edible plants. With diminishing vocabulary o f many languages (Sesotho included), it has become necessary' to preserve and update these names so that they are not lost. We believe such a list would be o f value to translators and compilers o f dictionaries. The extensive use o f wild plants as food in southern Africa has been well documented in a number o f publi cations including the books o f Fox & Norwood Young (1982), Peters et al. (1992), and Van Wyk & Gericke (2000). Lists o f common names o f plants in vernacular languages have also been written. For example, a com prehensive list o f Setswana common names o f plants by Cole (1995) is available. A list o f some Zulu names has also been published (Ngwenya et al. 2003) Phillips (1917) and Jacot Guillarmod (1971) published Sesotho names o f indigenous plants. Smith (1966) also included some Sesotho names. However, the lists are not com prehensive and do not include Sesotho names for exotic food plants. Many of the scientific names used in these publica tions are now outdated and it has become necessary to update them. Furthermore, the list o f Phillips (1917) is only applicable to the Leribe Plateau region in Lesotho. While Jacot G uillarm od's (1971) work is much more comprehensive, it did not include the meanings o f the Sesotho names. This checklist has been compiled based °n plants used by Sesotho-speaking people in southern Africa, who live mainly in Lesotho and in the Free State, South Africa.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The checklist was compiled using the available litera ture and the first author’s own experiences while growing up in a rural area (Ha Thuube. Q acha's Nek District) in Lesotho. Authorities for scientific names are given in * Department o f Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University o f Johannesburg. P.O. Box 524. 2006 Auckland Park. Johannesburg * Corresponding author e-mail address: am otfarau.ac.za MS. received: 2005-04-26.
Appendix 1 and are not repeated elsewhere in the text. The nomenclature follows that of Germishuizen & Meyer (2003). The list is arranged alphabetically according to family and genus starting with the monocots. Where possible, English common names and the origin or meaning of the Sesotho names are presented. The edible parts o f the plants have also been included in the list. Many exotic plants including fruits (e.g. banana, kiwi, mango, among others), nuts (e.g. almonds, cashews, macadamias. among others), spices and herbs (e.g. coriander, oregano, parsley, and others) do not have Sesotho names and are therefore excluded.
DISCUSSION
Sesotho names of 164 indigenous and 39 exotic plant species o f edible plants are given in Appendix 1. Some Sesotho names o f plants are expressed in short sentences to indicate either the habit of the plant (e.g. its appearance, striking features or size), habitat, or its use (mostly for medicinal purposes). Many exotic plants also have Sesotho names, although these names have been taken directly from either English or Afrikaans. For example, the Sesotho name tamati for tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum ) has been taken directly from the Afrikaans word tamatie. To highlight the typical deri vation o f names, some examples o f plant names are given below (for full meanings see Appendix 1). Names based on characteristics o f the plant Diospvros austro-africana: Xtlo-ea-lekhoaha— the house o f a crow, with reference to its flower shape. Empodium plicatum. Leihlo-la-khomo— eye o f the cow, so named because its flower resembles an eye o f a cow. Sisymbrium capense: Tlhako-ea-khomo— hoof of the cow, the shape o f the leaves resembles a hoof o f a cow. Watsonia densiflora (and other members o f lndaceae): Khahla— the flower which pleases, this is because the flowers of these plants look pretty. Tragopogon porrifolius: Moetse-oa-pere— mane of a horse, in reference to the thin, elongated leaves.
26
Bothalia 36,1 (2006)
Names based on the size o f the plant Gladiolus dalenii: Khahla-e-kholo— the big plant/flower which pleases. Hesperantha baurii: Khahla-e-nyenyane— the small plant/flower which pleases. Hypoxis argentea: Leihlo-la-khomo-le-leholo— the big eye o f the cow. Mentha aquatica: Koena-e-nvenyane— the small croco dile.
where only the elderly still know and use the traditional names o f plants.
ACK OW LEDGEM ENTS
The second author acknowledges financial support from the National Research Foundation (NRF).
REFERENCES
Names based on the habitat o f the plant Eulophia hians: M ametsana-a-manyenyane— mother of little water, because the plants are found in wet places. Gladiolus cruentus: Khahla-ea-loti— the mountain plant which pleases, so called because the plants usually grow in mountainous areas. Oxalis corniculata: Bolila-ba-thaba— the sour plant of the mountain; these plants are more frequent at higher altitudes. Names based on the taste o f the plant Epilobium hirsutum : Letsoai-la-balisana— salt o f the shepherds, so called because the leaves taste salty. Nasturtium officinale: Liababa— they are bitter, due to the bitter leaves. Oxalis species: Bolila— the sour plant, because the leaves are extremely sour. The replacem ent o f indigenous food plants with seemingly more attractive exotic ones is just one aspect o f a broader pattern o f aculturization that affects many aspects o f Sesotho culture. The impoverishment of Sesotho plant nomenclature is very evident in rural areas
BRUM M ITT. R.K. & POW ELL, C.E. 1992. Authors o f p lant names. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. COLE, D.T. 1995. Setswana anim als and plants. Macmillan Publishing, Botswana. FOX, F.W' & NORW OOD YOUNG, M.E. 1982. Food fro m the veld: edible w ild plants o f southern Africa. Delta Books, Craighall, Johannesburg. G ERM ISH U IZEN . G. & MEYER. N.L. (eds). 2003. Plants o f southern Africa: an annotated checklist. Strelitzia 14. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. JA CO T GUILLARM OD, A. 1966. A contribution towards the econom ic botany o f Basutoland. Botaniska N otiser 119: 209-211. JA COT GUILLARM OD. A. 1971. Flora o f Lesotho. Cramer, Lehre. M ASEFIELD . G.B.. WALLIS, M.. HARRISON, S.G. & NICHOLSON, B.E. 1969. The O xford hook o f fo o d plants. Oxford University Press. Great Britain. NGWENYA, M.A., KOOPM AN. A. & W ILLIAM S. R. 2003. Zulu botanical know ledge: an introduction. N ational Botanical Institute, Durban. PETERS, C.R.. O ’BRIEN. E.M. & DRUM M OND. R.B 1992. Edible w ild plants o f sub-Saharan Africa. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. PHILLIPS, E.P 1917. A contribution to the flora o f the Lenbe Plateau and environs. A nnals o f the South African M useum 16: 1-379. SMITH. C.A. 1966. Com mon names o f South African plants. M emoirs o f the Botanical Survey o f South Africa No. 35. Botanical Research Institute. Pretoria. VAN WYK. B-E. & GER1CKE, N. 2000. People's plants. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
APPEN D IX 1.— List o f edible plants; their comm on nam es (Sesotho and English); the parts that are used for food; and references Taxon
Sesotho name
Origin or meaning
English name
Parts used
Reference
M onocotyledons Alliaceae *Allium cepa L. Tulbaghia acutiloba Harv . alliacea L.f. leucantha Baker
E iee/ H anyanese
from the A frikaans word ui
onion
bulb
5 ,6
M otsuntsunyane M oelela Sefotha-fotha
unknown unknown unknown
wild garlic
young plants leaves young plants
1-4 1-4 . 6 2 .4
Am arylidaceae Cyrtanthus stenanthus Baker
Lepontoane
unknown
golden star
bulb
2 ,4
Lehaohao
unknown
roots
1.2
M othebe M ohalalitoe
unknown unknown
arum lily spotted-leaf arum
leaves, stems leaves
2^4. 6. 7 2 4, 6
Lerara-tau/ Lelala-tau Lehonyeli
one who watches (lelala/ lerara) the lion (tau) unknown (general name for species o f Asparagus)
asparagus
young shoots
1 -4 .6
feathery asparagus
young shoots
3 .6
A nthericaceae Chlorophytum fasciculatum (Baker) Kativu Araceae Zantedeschia aethiopicum (L.) Spreng. albom aculata (Hook.) Baill. subsp. albom aculata Asparagaceae Asparagus africanus Lam. setaceus (Kunth) Oberm.
* exotic taxa; 1, Phillips (1917); 2. Jacot Guillarm od (1971); 3. Fox & Norwood Young (1982); 4, Peters et al. (1992); 5. Masefield et al. (1969); 6. Van Wyk & Gericke (2000); 7, Jacot Guillarm od (1966). Author abbreviations according to Brummitt & Powell 1992.
Bothalia 36,1 (2006) APPENDIX 1.— List o f edible plants; their com mon names (Sesotho and English); the parts that are used for food; and references (cont.) Reference
Taxon
Sesotho name
Origin or m eaning
English name
Parts used
A sphodelaceae Kniphofia spp.
Leloele
unknown
red-hot poker
flower; nectar
1-4, 7
C yperaceae Cyperus esculentus L. usitatus Burch.
M onakalali M onakalaki
unknown same as above
Indian grass
bulb bulb
1 - 4 ,6 1-4. 6 ,7
M ototse
unknown
soldier in the box
bulb
1 ,3 ,4
bulb
2^4
bulb
1-4, 7
bulb bulb
2-4 1,3
rootstock
1^1
H yacin th aceae Albuca maxima Burm.f. Dipcadi marlothii Engl.
M orotoana
the small urine (from moroto which m eans urine) viride (L.) M oench green bells M orotoana-phokoana the small urine o f the young male goat (phokoana) Empodium plicatum (Thunb.) GarsideLeihlo-la- khomo ifafa lily the eye (leihlo) o f the cow (khomo) Ornithogallum tenuifolium w ild onion Moretele-o-monyenyane the sm all (m onyenyane) one which F.Delaroche subsp. tenuifolium causes the body to becom e itchy and reddish ( from the w ord retela) H ypoxidaceae Hypoxis argentea Harv. ex Baker
small yellow star
Leihlo-la-khomo-leleholo
the large (leholo) eye (leihlo) o f the cow (khomo)
Iridaceae Gladiolus cruentus T.Moore
Khahla-ea-loti
flowers
2-4 , 7
dalenii Van Geel ecklonii Lehm. Hesperantha baurii Baker
Khahla-e-kholo Khahla Khahla-e-nyenyane
the mountain (loti) flower which pleases (khahla) the big (kholo) flower which pleases the flower w hich pleases the small (nyenvane) flower which pleases (khahla)
flowers flowers bulbs
3, 4 1-4, 7 1-4
Moraea sim ulans Baker stricta Baker Watsonia densiflora Baker
Teele Qekoe Khahla
unknown unknown the flower w hich pleases
corms corms corms
2 .4 2 .4 1 ,2 , 4 ,7
O rch id aceae Eulophia hians Spreng. var. nutans (Sond.) S.Thom as
'M ametsana-a-manyenyane
tubers
1-3
Neobolusia tysonii (Bolus) Schltr.
same as above
the small (nyenvane) m other ( 'M a ) o f little w ater {metsana from metsi which means water) the small (nyenvane) m other ('M a) o f little water (metsana from metsi which means water)
tubers
1,2
grain
2 -7
grain grain grain
1-3, 6 2. 4 ,6 1-5
quick grass
grain rhizome
2~\ 3 .4 . 7
rhizome
1 -4 .7
rhizome
2 .4 , 7
gram grain rhizome stem
3 .5 .6 1 ,2 . 4 .6 1 .3 .4 . 6 3 .6
Poaceae Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaerth. subsp. africana (Kenn.O 'B ym e) Hilu & de Wet Eragrostis chloromelas Steud. cilianensis (All.) Vignolo ex Janch . curvula (Schrad.) Nees
Natal w atsonia
African finger millet
Moseli
the one who searches for food (from verb ho sela which m eans to look for food
Seritsoana Moseeka M oseeka
unknown unknown unknown
planiculm is Nees Hermathria altissim a (Poir.) Stapf & C.E.Hubb. Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch
Tsane/ M ofethe M arotlo-a-mafubelu
unknown unknown
M ohlaba-lerumo
bedding grass
Miscanthus capensis (Nees) Andersson *Oryza saliva L. Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br. Phragmites australis (Cav.) Steud. Saccharum officinarum L..
M othala
the one who pierces (hlaba) with an assegai (lerum o ) unknown from the word rice unknown unknown (general nam e for all reeds) from the Afrikaans word suikex
rice pearl millet com m on reed sugar cane
Set aria italica (L.) P. Beau v. Sorghum bicolor (L.) M oench Sporobolusftm briatus (Trin.) Nees
Raese Nyalothi Lehlaka Tsoekere (refers to sugar) Joang-ba-lipere M abele M atolo-a-maholo
the grass (joang) for the horses (lipere ) foxtail millet unknown (any sorghum-like grain) sorghum the big (maholo from the adjective kholo) knots on the stems (m atolo)
grain grain grain
2 ,4 .6 2 -6 1-4
Triticum aestivum L. durum Desf. Zea mays L.
Kooro Kooro Poone
from the Afrikaans w ord koring from the Afrikaans w ord koring unknown
grain gram grain
4 -6 4. 5 2. 3 .5 .6
weeping lovegrass
bread w heat durum wheat maize
* exotic taxa; 1, Phillips (1917); 2. Jacot Guillarmod (1971); 3. Fox & Norwood Young (1982); 4. Peters et al. (1992); 5. M asefield et al. (1969); 6, Van Wyk & Gericke (20(H)); 7, Jacot Guillarmod (1966) Author abbreviations according to Brummitt & Powell 1992
28
Bothalia 36,1 (2006)
APPEN D IX 1.— List o f edible plants; their comm on nam es (Sesotho and English); the parts that are used for food; and references (cont.) Taxon
Sesotho name
Origin or meaning
Theepe Theepe
unknown unknown
Theepe-ea-bokone
unknown
A n aca rd iacea e Rhus den tala Thunb. discolor E.Mey. ex Sond. pentheri Zahlbr.
M abelebele M ohlohloane M abelebele
much grain (derived from mabele) thick part or sw elling in a root much grain (derived from mabele)
nana berry
A p iaceae Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.
Bolila-ba-linku
marsh pepperwort leaves
3
Sehoele Sepaile
the sour (bolila) plant o f the sheep (linku) unknown (any carrot-like root) unknown
carrot wild parsley
roots leaves
5 1 -4 ,6
M ohopu
unknown
leaves
1-3
A po cy n aceae Ancylobotrys capensis (Oliv.) Pichon Marapa
unknown
English name
Parts used
Reference
D icotyledons A m a ra n th a c e a e Am aranthus deflexus L. *hybridus L. thunbergii Moq.
*Daucus carota L. Peucedanum magalismontanum Sond. P im pinella caffra (Eckl. & Zeyh.) D.Dietr.
Asclepias aurea (Schltr.) Schltr.
M ohlatsisa
gibba (E.M ey.) Schltr. humilis (E.M ey.) Schltr. multicaulis (E.M ey.) Schltr.
M ontsoko Sehoete M ankiling
Aspidoglossum araneiferum (Schltr.) Kupicha
N tlhokoe
gracile (E.M ey.) Kupicha interruptum (E.M ey.) Bullock lamellatum (Schltr.) Kupicha B rachystelm a cireinaturn E.Mey.
Sehoete M orema-phofu Sehoete-m oru
one who causes vom it (from the verb ho hlatsa which m eans to vomit) unknown unknown (any carrot-like root) unknown
pigweed/ red am aranth Cape pigweed
wild apricot/ wild peach
milk bush
the slender one (likened to the thin stem o f a grass, called lehlokoa) unknown the one who breaks (rem a) a wild animal (phofu) unknown
B ohobe-ba-setsom i
the bread (bohobe) o f the hunter (setsom i) fo etid u m Schltr. Seru unknown Cynanchum virens (E.M ey.) D.Dietr. M orara-oa-moru the creeper (m orara) o f the forest/ w oods (moru) Gomphocarpus fruticosus (L.) Aiton f. LebejanaJ M oethimolo the m ilky one (referring to the milky wild cotton/ substance protruding from the un milkweed ripe fruit)/ the one who causes sneezing (from the verb ho thimola) M iraglosum pulchellum (Schltr.) Sehoete-m pulutsana the greyish (pulutsoana ) carrot-like Kupicha root (sehoete) Pachycarpus rigidus E.Mey. Phomametsu the one who escapes (phoma) the arrow s (m etsu) vexillaris E.Mey. unknown Leshokhoa Parapodium costatum E.Mey. Seham elapoli the one who m ilks for (from the verb hama which means to milk; hamela m eans to milk for) the goat (poli) Periglossum angustifolium Decne. Sehoete-m ohlaka carrot-like root o f the marsh (carrot) Riocreuxia torulosa Decne. M orarana-oa-moru the small creeper (m orarana) o f the forest/ w oods (moru) Sarcoslemm a viminale (L.) R.Br. M abele-a-lilomo the grain (m abele) o f the cliffs (lilom o) caustic bush Schizoglossum atropurpureum E.Mey. linifolium Schltr.
Sehoete-m oru Sehoete-ntlhokoe
Xysm alobium undulatum (L.) Aiton f. Leshokhoa
carrot o f the forest' woods (moru) the slender (ntlhokoe , likened to the thin stem o f a grass) carrot (sehoete) unknown milk bush
young shoots young shoots
4 ,6 1-3, 6, 7
young shoots
1-4, 6, 7
fruits fruits fruits
1-4, 7 2 ,4 1 ,2 ,4
fruits
rootstock
1, 2 ,4
rootstock rootstock leaves, stems, flowers, roots
1-4 1 ,2 ,4 1-4, 7
tubers
3
roots roots
2 .3 1-3
roots
1-3
tubers
1,3
tubers leaves, roots
3 1,2
rootstock
2 ,4
roots
1.3
young plants
1-3
leaves leaves
2 ,4 1 4
rootstock leaves
1. 2 1-4, 7
stem and young fruits
1-4
roots roots
14 1. 3
leaves
1 4 .6
* exotic taxa; 1, Phillips (1917); 2, Jacot Guillarmod (1971); 3. Fox & Norwood Young (1982); 4. Peters et al. (1992); 5, Masefield et al. (1969); 6. Van Wyk & Gericke (2000); 7. Jacot Guillarm od (1966). Author abbreviations according to Brummitt & Powell 1992.
Bothalia 36,1 (2006)
29
APPENDIX 1.— List o f edible plants; their com m on nam es (Sesotho and English); the parts that are used for food; and references (cont.) Taxon Asteraeeae Athrixia angustissim a DC. elata Sond. phylicoides DC. Berkheya discolor (DC.) O.Hoffm. & Muschl. Dicom a anomala Sond. Gazania krebsiana Less.
*Helianthus armuus L. H elichrysum nudifolium (L.) Less. platypterum DC. M et alas ia m uricata (L.) D.Don.
Sesotho nam e
English name
Origin or m eaning
Phefshoana-ethe small wind (from the w ord phefo nyenyane w hich m eans wind) P hefshoana-ea-basiea the sm all wind (see above) o f the Basiea (one o f the Basotho clans) Sephomolo one who rests or relaxes (from the verb phom ola) Sehlohlo-se-seholo unknown [the big (seholo) Sehlohlo] Hloenya Tsikitlana
Sonobolomo
to blush or change colour to becom e stiff (as a result o f the tw ining o f the leaves; the leaves are tw ined together to m ake a tra ditional skirt for girls known as thethana) from the Afrikaans word sonneblom
Parts used
Reference
leaves
1-3
daisy tea
leaves
1 - 3 ,7
bush tea
leaves
3 ,6
young plants
2 -4
leaves leaves
1-3 2 ,4
sunflower
seeds
5 ,6
Zulu tea
leaves crushed roots leaves, twigs
2 -4 1 ,2 .4 2, 4. 6, 7
leaves leaves
1 ,3 ,4 1 ,3 ,4
leaves leaves young plants young plants
1 ,3 ,4 1,3 3 ,4 3 ,7
Papetloana Leshoetla Sehalahala-seseputsoa
the flat, spreading one soft, spongy part o f a bone unknown [the grey Erica (all ericas or Erica-Wko. plants are known as sehalahala]
nanus Sond. ex Harv. *oleraceus L. Tolpis capensis (L.) Sch.Bip. Tragopogon porrifolius L.
Leharasoana Sethokonyane- seseholo Sentlokojane Leshoabe F ukuthoane M oetse-oa-pere
the ragged one unknown [the big (seholo) Sethoko nyane] unknown unknown unknown the m ane (moetse) o f a horse {pere)
Boraginaceae Anchusa capensis Thunb. Lithosperm um cinereum A.DC.
Petlekhem e Lefisoana
unknown small clay pot
forget-m e-not
young plants young plants
1-4 1 ,2 ,4
Rapa Kh abeche Rapa
from the Afrikaans word raap from cabbage same as above
rape cabbage turnip
leaves leaves leaves, roots
5 5 3. 5
Sebitsa
pepper cress
leaves
1 ,2 ,6
Lerotho Sebitsa Liababa/ Mohatametsi
it calls (from the verb bitsa which means to call) dimness it calls they are bitter (from the verb baba w hich means bitter)/ one who tram ples (hata ) on the w ater (metsi)
pepper cress birdseed watercress
leaves leaves young plants
1-4. 6 1-4. 6 1 -3 ,7
Sepaile Papasane
unknown unknown
radish
leaves, roots young plants
3 ,5
Tlhako-ea-khomo Sepatlapatla Sentlokojane Lefisoana
hoof (thlako) o f a cow (khom o) the flat one unknown small clay pot
Cape mustard wild mustard wild mustard
young plants leaves basal leaves
1 ,2 , 4, 6 1 ,2 .4 1 ,2 ,4 2 .4
Bromeliaceae *Ananas com osus (L.) Merr.
Paeneapole
from the word pineapple
pineapple
fruit
5
Buddlejaceae Buddie j a salviifolia (L.) Lam.
Lelothoane
unknown
sage wood
leaves
1-3
Cactaceae *O puntiaficus-indica (L.) Mill.
Terefeie
from the Afrikaans w ord turks\y
prickly pear
fruits
6
Cam panulaceae Wahlenbergia androsacea A .D C . denudata A.DC krebsii Cham, subsp. krebsii undulata (L.f.) A.DC.
Tenane Tenane Tenane Tenane
get get get get
harebell
young young young young
Sonchus dregeanus DC. integrifolius Harv.
Brassicaeeae *Brassica *napus L. *oleracea L. *rapa L. Lepidium capense Thunb. myriocarpum Sond. schinzii Thell. *Nasturtium officinale R.Br.
*Raphanus *sativus L. *nudiuscula Thell. Sisymbrium capense Thunb. thellungii O .E.Schulz turczaninowii Sond. * Turritis glabra L.
tired tired tired tired
o f (from o f (from o f (from o f (from
the the the the
verb verb verb verb
ho ho ho ho
tena ) tena) tena) tena)
ground thistle milk thistle salsify
giant bell flower
plants plants plants plants
1—4. 7 1 1.2 1-3
* exotic taxa; 1. Phillips (1917); 2, Jacot Guillarmod (19 7 1); 3. Fox & Norw ood Youne (1982); 4. Peters et al. (1992); 5. Masefield et al. (1969); , an Wyk & Gerickc (2000); 7, Jacot Guillarmod (1966). Author abbreviations according to Brummitt & Powell 1992.
Bothalia 36,1 (2006) APPEN D IX 1,— List o f edible plants; their comm on nam es (Sesotho and English); the parts that are used for food; and references (cont.) Taxon Capparaceae B oscia albitrunca (Burch.) Gilg & G ilg-Ben fo etid a Schinz. subsp. rehmanniana (Pestal) Toelken Caryophyllaceae Cerastium capense Sond.
Sesotho name
Origin or m eaning
English name
M opipi
unknown
M phephi
unknown
em igrant’s tea/ roots, fruits caper bush old w om an’s bush roots
M ollo-oa-nku/ qoqobala M onokotsoai-oamakhoaba
the bleating (from the verb lla which m eans cry) o f a sheep (nku) the bram ble (M onokotsoai) o f the crows (m akhoaba)
Chenopodiaceae *Beta vulgaris L. *Chenopodium album L. *Spinacea oleracea L.
Biti Seruoe Sepinichi
Convolvulaceae Ipom oea *batatas (L.) Lam. bolusiana Schinz crassipes Hook.
Patata Seakhoe M aime
Pollichia cam pestris Aiton
oblongata E. Mey. ex Choisy sim plex Thunb.
Parts used
Reference
3 .4 3 .4
young plants
1 ,2 ,4 , 7
wax berry
fruits
1 -3 ,7
from the word beet unknown from the w ord spinach
beetroot goosefoot spinach
leaves, roots young plants leaves
5 1 ^ , 6 ,7 5
sweet potato wild potato wild potato
tubers rootstock roots
3 ,5 ,6 2 ,4 1-4, 7
M othokho Seakhoe
from the Afrikaans word p a ta t unknown the heavy one (from the adjective boima) traditional medicine unknown
wild potato wild potato
roots roots
1,3 1,3
Tjoto
unknown
bitter m elon/ tsam a melon watermelon
young leaves
1-4, 6
fruits
2 -4
fruits, leaves
3 ,4 ,6
leaves fruits and young leaves fruits, leaves
1-4 3 -6
Cucurbitaceae Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai (wild form,) *lanatus (Thunb.) M atsum. & Nakai (cultivated form) Coccinia sessilifolia (Sond.) Cogn.
Lehapu
unknown
Borobahlolo
Cucumis m yriocarpus Naudin *C urcubitapepo L.
M onyaku M okopu
the one who breaks ( from the verb roba which m eans break) the rock-rabbit (hlolo) unknown unknown
bitter apple pumpkin
Langenaria siceraria (M olina) Standi. M om ordica balsam ina L.
Sehoana
unknown
bottle guard
Moholu
stomach
African cucum ber leaves
Ebenaceae Diospyros austro-africana De W inter Ntlo-ea-lekhoaba Euclea crispa (Thunb.) Giirke M ohlakola
3 ,4 3 ,4 ,6
the house (ntlo) o f the crow (lekhoaba) the one who wipes (from the verb bush guarri hlakola w hich m eans to wipe)
fruits fruits
2 ,4 1-4
Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia clavarioides Boiss. striata Thunb.
Sehlooko M ohlatsisa
unknown lion spoor the one who causes vomit (from the milk weed verb hlatsa which m eans to vomit)
stems roots
2 -4 , 7 1-4, 7
Fabaceae *Arachis hypogea L.
M akotomane
unknown
seeds
3 ,5
Tsoetla-e-nyenyane
unknown [the sm all (nyane) tsoetla]
roots
1-4, 7
elephant’s root
roots seeds
2 -4 , 7 1 4 , 6, 7
honey locust lentils garden peas kidney beans
fruits, seeds seeds seeds seeds
3, 7 5 5 3. 5
roots
1 ,2 .4
roots
14
Argyrolobium tuberosum Eckl. & Zeyh. D olichos angustifolius Eckl. & Zeyh. Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Burch.) Skeels *Gleditsia triacanthos L. *Lens esculent a L. *Pisum sativum L. *Phaseolus vulgaris L.
Tsoetla M ositsane
unknown unknown
Leoka Lensisi Lierekisi Linaoa
unknown from the afrikaans word lensie from the Afrikaans word ertjie unknown [any bean-like seed is referred to as naoa (plural linaoa)]
Rhynchosia hirsuta Eckl. & Zeyh.
M onya-talane
the one who defecates (m onya) unripe grain (talane) unknown
totta (Thunb.) DC. Trifolium africanum Ser. var. africanum
Sebalibetloa
ground nuts/ peanuts
M oqopolla-thupa unknown Cape clover/red inflorescences 1 4 * __ i nu:ii:___^ * exotic taxa; 1, Phillips (1917); 2. Jacot Guillarm od (1971); 3, Fox & Norwood Young (1982); 4, Peters et al. (1992); 5, Masefield et al. (1969); 6, Van Wyk & Gericke (2000); 7, Jacot Guillarm od (1966). Author abbreviations according to Brummitt & Powell 1992.
Bothalia 36,1 (2006) APPENDIX 1 —List o f edible plants; their com mon nam es (Sesotho and English); the parts that are used for food; and references (cont.) Taxon
Sesotho name
Origin or m eaning
E nglish name
Parts used
Fabaceae (cont.) Trifolium burchellianum Ser. *Vicia fa b a L.
M oroko Linaoa
unknown See P. vulgaris above
African clover wild clover broad beans
inflorescences 1 ,2 .4 seeds 3 ,5
G eraniaceae Geranium incanum Burm.f.
Ngope setsoha
an idiom m eaning something that rarely happens the sour (bolila) one o f the cows (likhom o) derived from lekhoara (a stony ridge; the plant grows near rocks)
carpet geranium
leaves
1 -3 ,7
leaves
2 ,4
leaves
1 -4
multisectum N.E.Br.
Bolila-ba-likhomo
Reference
Pelargonium bowkeri Harv.
Khoara
G unneraceae Gunner a perpensa L.
Qobo
favourite o f the chief
river pum pkin
stems and flower stalks
1 - 4 ,7
Lam iaceae M entha aquatica L. longifolia (L.) Huds.
Koena-e-nyenyane Koena
a small (nyenyane) crocodile (koena) a crocodile (koena)
wild mint w ild mint
leaves leaves
1-4 1-4
Lenkoto
unknown
roots
1-4
young plants
1 .2 .4
young plants
1 .2 .4
Lobeliaceae Cyphia elata Harv. Lobelia erinus L.
M oroho-oa-likonyana the vegetables (moroho) o f the lambs (likonyana) M ahlo-a-konyana the eyes (m ahlo) o f the lamb VKonyana) M alana-a-konyana the small intestines (malana) o f the lamb (konyana)
wild lobelia
butterfly lobelia
young plants
1 ,2 ,4
M yricaceae Morelia serrata (Lam.) Killick
M onna-e-motso
the black (m otso) man (m onna)
lance-leaf wax berry
fruits
3 .4
M yrtaceae *Psidium guajava L.
Koafa
from guava
guava
fruits
5
O nagraceae Epilobium hirsutum L.
Letsoai-la-balisana
salt (letsoai) o f the shepherds (balisana)
leaves
1 ,3 ,4 . 7
B olila-ba-thaba/ bolila-ba-litsoene
whole plant
1^4
Bolila Bolila
the sour plant (bolila) o f the mountain (thaba)/ the sour plant o f the monkeys (litsoene) sorrel the sour plant sorrel sam e as above
leaves, roots leaves
2 -4 1,3
Papaveraceae Papaver aculeatum Thunb.
Sehlohlo
the one who causes anger
wild poppy
young plants
1-4
Plantaginaceae Plantago m ajor L.
Bolila-ba-Iipoli
the sour (bolila) plant o f the goats (lipoli)
broadleaf plantain leaves, roots
2 ,3
Polygonaceae Rumex sagittatus Thunb. woodii N.E.Br.
Bolila-bo-boholo Bolila-ba-likhomo
the big (boholo) sour (bolila) plant the sour (bolila) plant for the cows (likhomo)
climbing sorrel
1-4 1-4
Selêlê Khutsana
slippery an orphan
com mon purselane leaves, stems leaves
Lefokotsane
the small feeble one
preslii A.DC. M onopsis decipiens (Sond.) Thulin
Oxalidaceae Oxalis corn iculata L.
sem iloba Sond. setosa E.Mey. ex Sond.
Portulacaceae *Portulaca oleracea L. Talinum caffrum (Thunb.) Eckl. & Zeyh. Ranunculaceae Thalictrum minus L.
leaves leaves
young plants
2—4, 7 2 -4 , 6
1 ,2 ,4 , 7
exotic taxa; 1, Phillips ( 1917); 2. Jacot Guillarmod (1971); 3. Fox & Norwood Young (1982); 4. Petens et al. (1992); 5. Masefield et al. (1969); . Van Wyk & Gericke (2000); 7, Jacot Guillarmod (1966). Author abbrev iations according to Brummitt & Powell 1992.
32
Bothalia 36,1 (2006)
A PPEN D IX 1.— List o f edible plants; their com m on nam es (Sesotho and English); the parts that are used for food; and references (cont.) Taxon
Sesotho name
Origin or m eaning
English nam e
Parts used
Rham naceae Ziziphus m ucronata Willd.
M okhalo
unknown
buffalo thorn
fruits
3 ,4 ,6
Apole ‘M abolilana Perekisi Pere Khunoane
from apple the sour fruit from the Afrikaans word perske from the Afrikaans word peer unknown
apple apricot peach pear
fruits fruits fruits fruits fruits
5 5 5 5 7
M onokotsoai bram ble M onokotsoai-oathe bram ble o f the shepherds balisanaJ basali (balisana) or o f the wom en (basali) M onokotsoai-oa-banna the bram ble o f the m en (banna)
raspberry wild bramble
fruits fruits
5 1-4
bramble
fruits
1-4
Surulam unu/Surul amuni Lamunu/ Lam uni
from the Afrikaans word suurlemoen
lemon
fruits
5
from the A frikaans word lemoen
sw eet orange
fruits
5
Scrophulariaceae D iascia spp.
B olao-ba-litoeba
young plants
1 ,2 ,4
H alleria lucida L.
Lebetsa
the love philtre (bolao) o f the mice (litoeba) the one who throw s at (from the verb w hite olive ho betsa which means to throw at)
fruits
1-4, 7
N em esia albiflora N.E.Br.
M alana-a-konyana
young plants
1,2
caerulea H iem
M alana-a-konyana
young plants
2
fru tica n s (Thunb.) Benth.
M alana-a-konyana
young plants
1-3
flo rib u n d a Lehm.
M alana-a-konyana
young plants
1,2
p ubescens Benth.
M alana-a-konyana
young pants
1,2
rupicola Hilliard
M alana-a-konyana
young plants
1 ,2
L em êm êê
the small intestines (m alana) o f the lamb (konyana) the small intestines (m alana) o f the lamb (konyana) the small intestines (m alana) o f the lamb (konyana) the small intestines (malana) o f the lamb (konyana) the small intestines (m alana) o f the lamb (konyana) the small intestines (malana) o f the lamb (konyana) unknown
young plants
1-3
Tamati M okusebere
from the A frikaans word tamatie from the word gooseberry
tomato gooseberry
fruits, seeds fruits
5 2, 3 ,7
Seshoa-bohloko
black nightshade
fruits and young plants fruits, leaves tubers
1-4, 7
Seshoa-bohloko Tapole
the one who dies (shoa) painfully (bohloko) same as above from the Afrikaans w ord aartappel
3 ,4 2 ,5 ,6
U rticaceae Urtica *dioica L. lobulata Blume
B obatsi B obatsi
unknown unknown
young leaves young leaves
1-3 1
Verbenaceae Lantana rugosa Thunb.
Joala-ba-linonyana
alcohol (joala) o f the birds (linonyana) cham eleon’s berry fruits
2 -4
Moaparo
unknown
bush grape
fruits
3 ,4 .6
M orara
the one who creeps
bushm an’s grape
fruits
2 -4 , 6, 7
M orara
same as above
grape
fruits
5
Tsehlo
unknown
leaves
2 ,7
Rosaceae *Malus dom estica Borkh. *Prunus arm eniaca L. *persica (L.) Batsch. *Pyrus com m unis L. *Rosa rubuginosa L. Rubus idaeus L. ludwigii Eckl. & Zeyh. rigidus Sm. Rutaceae *Citrus *limon (L.) Burm.f. *sinensis Osbeck
Zaluzianskya peduncularis (Benth.) Walp. Solanaceae *Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. *Physalis viscosa L. Solanum *nigrum L. retroflexum Dunal *tuberosum L.
Vitaceae R hoicissus tom entosa (Lam .) Wild & R.B.Drumm . tridentata (L.f.) Wild & R.B.Drum m. * Vitis vinifera L. Zygophyllaceae Tribulus terrestris L.
wild nemesia
nightshade irish potato
small nettle
Reference
* exotic taxa; 1, Phillips (1917); 2, Jacot Guillarm od (1971); 3, Fox & Norwood Young (1982); 4, Peters et al. (1992); 5, Masefield et al. (1969); 6, Van Wyk & Gericke (2000); 7, Jacot Guillarm od (1966). Author abbreviations according to Brummitt & Powell 1992.
