Sutherlandia frutescens (Now Lessertia frutescens)

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Botanical Name

Sutherlandia frutescens (Now Lessertia frutescens)

Family

Fabaceae - The legume and pod-bearing family. (Pea & Bean Family)

Pronunciation

suth-er-LAN-dee-uh froo-TESS-enz

Common Name(s)

English: Cancer bush

Kankerbos; Eendjies

IsiXhosa: umnwele

IsiZulu: umnwele

Plant Group

Shrub A woody plant of relatively low height, having several stems arising from the base and lacking a single trunk; a bush.

Plant Size

Small to Medium

Tree 8m to 15m

Shrub 75cm to 1m

Perennial/ground cover 20cm to 40cm

Bulb 30cm to 40cm

Succulent 20cm to 40cm

Position

Partial Shade The area is in shade for part of the day and in full sun for part of the day.
Sun The area is in full sun for all or most of the day, all year round.

General Information

Attractive fruits, berries or seeds Brightly coloured fruits or berries increase and extend the visual impact of the plant and are especially attractive to birds and other small wildlife.
Deciduous Plants which completely lose their foliage for part of the year.
Drought Tolerance: Moderate The plant is moderately adapted to arid conditions and can survive short periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water.
Fragrant / Aromatic These plants posses a strong, usually pleasant odour.
Prune hard after flowering Fast growing shrubs that grow lanky within a season. Cut off branches and stems of these plants to a third of their original length. This will increase the yield of flowers, improve the plants shape and enhance the structural strength of main branches.
Sand tolerant Plants adapted to survive in nutrient poor, very sandy soils.
Water Wise Plant species originating from low rainfall regions that require less water to survive and thrive than other plant species.

Specific Information

Pest resistant. The chubby, pale green seed pods are most attractive. Best planted in groups of three to five. Short-lived plants that seldom last more than a season or two but self seed easily.

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Flowers

Description

pea-like flower to 35mm long

Season

Spring to Summer Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.

Colour

Growth Rate

Fast Specifying growth rate can be very misleading as there is considerable variation of growth rate depending on type and species of plant, available water, supplementary feeding, mulching and general care, as well as the plants suitability and adaptability to the garden environment.

Plant Uses

Attracts bees, butterflies or other insects This plant attracts insects which can be food for birds or other creatures in your garden.
Attracts Birds This plant will attract birds.
Border A strip of ground, at the edge of a driveway or path in which ornamental plants or shrubs are planted.
Boundary A plant useful for planting around the edges of the property to form a green or colourful backdrop, an impenetrable hedge, to hide walls or create privacy.
Filler Either a fast growing tree or shrub used temporarily to fill in an area while the permanent plants grow to a desired size, or a plant used to fill gaps in borders or beds.
Pioneer for new gardens A very fast growing plant, able to withstand hardship, that can be used to populate land that has recently been cleared of natural vegetation. These plants pave the way for slower-growing species by adding nutrients to the soil and creating leaf litter.
Rock Garden An area constructed of larger rocks, arranged naturally, to emphasise the use of stones as a main element. Generally plants used do not need a lot of care.
Suitable for coastal gardens Plants adapted to dry, sandy soil, forceful wind, limited rainfall and intense sunlight.
Suitable for smaller gardens Such plants do not have invasive root systems, remain small or controllable and can often be grown in containers.
Wild Garden An indigenous garden planted for the benefit of wildlife and birds. Provides food, water, a variety of mini-biomes and no poisonous chemicals are used.

Distribution and Habitat

Western Cape, up the west coast to Namibia and into Botswana, and from the western Karoo to the Eastern Cape

Planting Suggestions

Lessertia frutescens is fast and easy to grow, but short-lived as a garden subject. Plant in full sun. It tolerates all soil types but will respond well to some compost, fertilizer and a little water. Mulch well around the roots. Do not over water if growing in a container. The last two photos above show specimens in my garden, one in good soil, well mulched and given occasional water. The last picture shows a group of three plants, the same age as the previous one. They are in full sun, in nutrient poor soil, have no mulch and are only watered with the rest of this bed when it is critically dry.

The cancer bush grows easily from seed planted in autumn or spring in well-drained soil. Soak the seeds for about 4 hours or overnight in water hot enough for you to put your hand in then plant immediately. Keep the seed trays warm (not hot) and damp but not wet. Seeds should germinate in 2 to 3 weeks and seedlings can be transplanted when they are 8 - 10 cm tall. It is a good idea to plant them in groups of 3 or 5, depending on how much space you have, for a fuller, more attractive bush. Plant the seedlings about 30 to 40 cm apart from each other.

Medicinal Uses

A much used and respected medicinal plant in southern Africa. The Khoi San and Nama people used it mainly for the washing of wounds and internally to bring down fevers. The early colonists used it in the treatment of chicken pox, stomach problems and internal cancers. It is also been used in the treatment of eye troubles, to treat colds, 'flu, asthma, TB, bronchitis, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, liver problems, hemorrhoids, piles, bladder, uterus & 'women's' complaints, diarrhea & dysentery, stomach ailments, heartburn, peptic ulcers, backache, diabetes, varicose veins and inflammation. It is also used in the treatment of mental and emotional stress, including irritability, anxiety and depression and is used as a gentle tranquilizer. Research on its properties as a cure for cancer and as an immune booster in the treatment of HIV/AIDS is ongoing.

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Author: Lorraine Solomon