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[SANS] Food and Water and Other Uses

This is the end of the article by Marjorie Russell, entitled "Sansevieria"
in Excelsa, No. 10, 1982

Food and Water

Dr Story in his book "Some plants used by the bushmen in obtaining food and
water" writes: "The rhizome is a useful source of water. It has a crisp
white fibrous flesh which is juicy and although slightly bitter is ot
unpleasant". In Zululand, a high rainfall area, the fast growing ends of
pieces of the rhizome are soft and juicy. In the veld it is usual just to
suck the juice out of the root as the intake of large amounts of fibre can
cause constipation. Military personnel on survival courses in South Africa
are taught this. the Food Research Division of the Council for Scientific
and Industrial Research in Pretoria has been asked to check on the nutrient
value of Sansevieria.

On a lighter note I am indebted to Mr Mike Wells of the Botanical Research
Institute in Pretoria, for the following quotation from a letter he wrote.
He was asked about a Sansevieria salad which had been served at the 7th
birthday celebrations of the Institute. "The young roots are cleaned as
carrots and thin slices served with a salad dressing". He went on to give
further information, "Very young shoots can also be boiled in the same way
as bamboo shoots. the palatability depends to a large degree on the area in
whcih the plant is found; some are extremely bitter while others are very
tasty. Plants grown in high rainfall areas, especially near water, are
naturally far more juicy and palatable than others".

Other Uses

an attempt was made to use the fibres for making paper, hut it was not
econoic. In the Guide to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew reference is made
to one side of House No. 12 consisting mainly of a Sansevieria collection.
We are told that the leaf residue after mechanical separation of the fibres
produces a gel at one time used in cosmetics (cf aloegel).

The fibres are used to make ceremonial garbs used during circumcision
ceremonies. Mr S Mavi of the Herbarium tells me that they are planted in
groups near huts as a protection against being struck by lightning. The
believe is that lightning is caused by witchcraft. In the Bulletin Agricole
du Congo Belge 1951 (Zaire) we aread "les plants (Sansevieres) sont
cultivees par les indigenes du Congo comme plants fetiches" [would someone
like to translate that! FV] A fetish plant is one which is regarded by some
races with a feeling of awe, because it has mysterious powers and was
obviously used by witch-doctors. Professor Barkuizen says that it is
maintained that elephants eat it - Mr Larry Leach saw definite proof in the
Zambezi Valley, very recently, that elephants do eat the plant.

Sansevieria is an interesting genus waiting for botanical expertise to sort
out its taxonomy; though not a fibre plant with an economic future, it is a
plant of much use to the indigenous rural population of Africa.

thats it folks!

Frances Verrity
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