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Spiked cabbage tree

Cussonia spicata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Apiales
Family:	Araliaceae
Genus:	Cussonia
Species:	C. spicata
Binomial name
*Cussonia spicata* Thunb.

Cussonia spicata, known as spiked cabbage tree, lowveld cabbage tree or common cabbage tree, is a tree in the family Araliaceae, which is native to the moister regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. It is cultivated as a garden plant in areas without extreme degrees of frost. It is one of the favorite foods of wild elephants.^[1]

Description

Larger specimens develop a sturdy trunk and a rounded, spreading canopy, and can reach a height of 15 meters. The attractive leaves grow from the end of thick branches to form rounded heads. The species name spicata means "spike-like", and suggests the arrangement of its flowers.^[2]

Range

It occurs naturally from southern and eastern South Africa to the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia and northwards into tropical Africa.^[2]

Ethnomedical uses

It has been used in traditional African medicine and its medicinal properties are being investigated.

A bark decoction is used in the treatment of malaria, and indigestion in a similar manner to tonic water
A root decoction is used to treat fever, venereal disease, as well as a diuretic and laxative.
A root bark decoction is used to treat mental illness.

References

^ Minute 6-7; April 5, 2009 episode)Naked Scientists
^ ^a ^b Hankey, Andrew (December 2004). "Cussonia spicata Thunb". plantzafrica.com. SANBI. Retrieved 7 December 2015.