Wilde-als
Mhlonyane
uMhlonyane
A perennial shrub, with aromatic leaves, 0.5–2 m, with ridged, woody stems.
Soft, finely divided, grey-green leaves, lighter beneath, covered with white bristles.
Blossoms in late summer to autumn. Produces abundant creamy yellow flower heads (3–5 mm).
The leaves and flowers produce a strong, sweet smell when bruised.
Fast-growing, forms thick clumps; visually distinctive for silvery foliage and scent.
Insects: Aromatic foliage repels some insects, while flowers attract pollinators.
Wildlife: Not widely used.
Cream/yellow flower heads in autumn; insect-pollinated.
Not widely used.
Collect seeds when the flower heads turn brown.
Seeds store well once dried.
Sow in spring or summer.
Grows easily from stem cuttings. Highest success rates in spring to mid-summer.
Traditional Uses: Artemisia afra is among the oldest and most widely recognized medicinal plants in southern Africa. It has been traditionally used to treat ailments such as coughs, colds, fever, loss of appetite, colic, headaches, earaches, intestinal worms, and malaria. The leaves are the most commonly utilized part and are prepared in various forms, including teas, poultices, smoke infusions, enemas, lotions, and snuffs. While the leaves dominate in usage, the roots and stems are also used in certain preparations.
insects: The plant and leaves are used to deter pests in gardens.
Sustainability Concerns:
This plant is frequently harvested unsustainably—entire individuals are uprooted and sold informally along roadsides and in herbalist shops. To protect wild populations, users are encouraged to promote responsible harvesting practices, by cutting stems while leaving roots intact to allow for regrowth.
Pharmacological Note:
Although Artemisia afra is traditionally associated with malaria treatment, it contains negligible amounts of artemisinin—the potent antimalarial compound found in its Asian relative, Artemisia annua. The effectiveness of Artemisia afra against malaria has not been proven, so either it is not effective or the medicinal properties of the plant arise from a broader phytochemical profile than artemisinin.
