Xysmalobium undulatum

Xysmalobium undulatum
Xysmalobium undulatum

Common names: milk bush (English). 
Botanical name: Xysmalobium undulatum

Xysmalobium undulatum, commonly known as milk bush or milkwort, is a striking plant that produces clusters of cream-green flowers and large hairy fruits. It is widely distributed in the eastern parts of southern Africa, where it grows in moist grassland and wetland habitats. It has a deep root that contains a milky sap, which is used in traditional medicine for various ailments, such as diarrhoea, malaria, menstrual cramps, and wounds. The root is also used as a bitter tonic and a protective charm. The plant attracts insects and birds to the garden, and its seeds have tufts of hairs that aid in dispersal. It can be grown from seed in well-drained soil and full sun but is sensitive to frost.

Uses & Benefits: food, medicine

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Nature & Cultivation

Family: Apocynaceae
Type: shrub
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Flower colour: cream, white, yellow
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Plant-animal interactions: butterflies
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Use as Medicine

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