The Bushman Poison Bulb

Compared to the eastern part of Limpopo, the western side has many different and unique plants that one may come across whilst traversing the Waterberg mountains and valleys. One of the most interesting plant to find, if not in the whole of South Africa, is the Bushman poison bulb.

This plant is a curious sight and can be found usually high up on the reserves mountainous plateaus, particularly at one of our sundowner spots. It looks like an onion half submerged in the soil sprouting a large fan of green leaves roughly a foot off the ground. In spring it is often seen to grow a long stem capped with a beautiful red flower that is pollinated by various flying insects. This plant has been used in centuries past by the Khoisan people who would boil down the bulb to acquire a highly effective poison in which their arrows were dipped. Apart from the Khoisan, the only other people who dared touch this plant was the traditional healers or “sangomas”. The plants outer layers are dry and can be used to disinfect wounds and heal other skin ailments. The sangomas would also use the plant to induce visions and to contact their ancestors using decoctions of the bulbs various parts.

Although this plant appears ornamental in nature l, it should never be planted or kept in close spaces or indoors as exposure to tue pollen from the red flower is said to give you red and itchy eyes.

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