Research:2019-05-01/Journal article/a-review-of-the-ethnobotany-of-the-basotho-of-lesotho-and-the-free-state-province-of-south-africa-south-sotho

Research record1 May 2019Journal article

A review of the ethnobotany of the Basotho of Lesotho and the Free State Province of South Africa (South Sotho)

A. Moteetee, R.O. Moffett, L. Seleteng-Kose

South African Journal of Botany · 2019

Abstract

This review is a comprehensive compilation of the ethnobotany of the Basotho (residing both in Lesotho and the Free State Province of South Africa) in its entirety. It includes all the known traditional uses ranging from food, through clothing, crafts, and textiles, to medicine and magic and is based on an extensive literature survey of both published and unpublished data from books, journals, dissertations, theses, available online databases, as well as past experiences of the authors. A total of 712 species is utilised for various purposes, comprising 22 pteridophytes and 690 flowering plants (509 dicotyledons, and 181 monocotyledons). The Asteraceae, with 115 species is the most commonly used family, followed by Poaceae (61) and Fabaceae (50). The largest number of plants (437 species) are utilised for all kinds of medical conditions (in both animals and humans) ranging from a simple cold to more complex ailments such as cancer and diabetes. There are 193 plant species utilised as food including staple food, vegetables, fruits, and beverages. Several species have functional uses such as thatching, clothing, textiles, building, cosmetics, crafts, fuel, musical instruments, and other cultural applications. 197 species are used for magic, mostly as a variety of charms, for example love charms, good luck charms, and protective charms.

The paper's abstract, reproduced as published.

DOI

More research from South Africa

• 28 Jun 2026Value capture in the emerging medical cannabis global value chain: insights from South Africa
• 2 Jun 2026Entrepreneurial Leadership and Cannabis Entrepreneurship in South Africa: Insights From the Cannabis Master Plan and SMME Performance Literature
• 1 Jun 2026Exploring Indigenous knowledge on cultivation, uses and morphological differences of Cannabis landraces in South Africa
• 25 May 2026Chemical Characterization and Biological Potential of the Essential Oils from the Flowers of Two Cannabis sativa L. Cultivars from Komga, South Africa
• 26 Nov 2025Effect of Propagation Techniques on Growth, Development, Oil Yield, and Quality of Medicinal Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) Found in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, South Africa
• 14 Jul 2025Cannabis sativa in South Africa: history, legislation, production, and pharmacological aspects

Record created 3 July 2026 · maintained by landrace.wiki editors · page history

Published1 May 2019

TypeJournal article

VenueSouth African Journal of Botany

Year2019

DOI10.1016/j.sajb.2017.12.012

CountrySouth Africa

DOI

2019-05-01 2026-07-03 A review of the ethnobotany of the Basotho of Lesotho and the Free State Province of South Africa (South Sotho) Journal article Culture A. Moteetee, R.O. Moffett, L. Seleteng-Kose South African Journal of Botany 2019 10.1016/j.sajb.2017.12.012 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2017.12.012 A review of the ethnobotany of the Basotho of Lesotho and the Free State Province of South Africa. The specific cannabis use-text is pending extraction, so confirm before quoting. This review is a comprehensive compilation of the ethnobotany of the Basotho (residing both in Lesotho and the Free State Province of South Africa) in its entirety. It includes all the known traditional uses ranging from food, through clothing, crafts, and textiles, to medicine and magic and is based on an extensive literature survey of both published and unpublished data from books, journals, dissertations, theses, available online databases, as well as past experiences of the authors. A total of 712 species is utilised for various purposes, comprising 22 pteridophytes and 690 flowering plants (509 dicotyledons, and 181 monocotyledons). The Asteraceae, with 115 species is the most commonly used family, followed by Poaceae (61) and Fabaceae (50). The largest number of plants (437 species) are utilised for all kinds of medical conditions (in both animals and humans) ranging from a simple cold to more complex ailments such as cancer and diabetes. There are 193 plant species utilised as food including staple food, vegetables, fruits, and beverages. Several species have functional uses such as thatching, clothing, textiles, building, cosmetics, crafts, fuel, musical instruments, and other cultural applications. 197 species are used for magic, mostly as a variety of charms, for example love charms, good luck charms, and protective charms. South Africa