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Herbs & Plants

Brachyglottis repanda

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Botanical Name : Brachyglottis repanda
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Senecioneae

Common Name : Rangiora or Bushman’s friend . Although it has a single English vernacular name, in Maori it is variably known as Kouaha, Pukapuka, Pukariao, Puke-rangiora, Rangiora, Raur?kau, Raurakau, Wharangi, or Wharangi-tawhito.

Habitat ; It is found in coastal and lowland forest often in high-light situations on the margins or skirts of the forest from North Cape to about Westport.

Description:
It is a shrub or small tree up to 6 metres, with stout brittle spreading branches densely clad in a soft white to buff tomentum. The leaves are between 5-25 X 5-20 cm broad with slightly undulating and lobed margins. The lamina of the leaf does not follow the unduations of the margins and is flat. The petioles of the leaves have a characteristic groove up to 10 cm long. Flowers are found on much branched panicles with each floret being about 5mm in diameter X 12mm long.

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The large and leathery leaves are highly useful for a number of purposes, hence its common name of bushmansfriend. It makes a practical paper on which letters have been written but is best referred to as bush toilet paper.

Cultivation & Propagation:
It can be a difficult species to propagate from seed. Pick the seeds as soon as they suggest they are ripe, which is when the tiny ‘parachutes’ are blown from the plant in early summer. Collect seeds from a range of plants. Sow directly into the top 5mm of a fine free draining germination mix. Keep warm but do not over water. Germination may begin within 3 weeks. The seed does not store well. The usual method of propagation is by medium wood cutting in early spring.

Medicinal Uses:
In Europe the leaves are recognised as a homeopathic cure for urinary and kidney complaints.
M?ori used the plant for a number of medicinal uses. The leaves were used for wounds and old ulcerated sores, and the gum was chewed for foul breath but was poisonous if swallowed. It can also be used as note paper.

A gum obtained from the plant is chewed to sweeten the breath. Main use is in homeopathic medicine

Other Uses:
It is an attractive complement to an ornamental garden with its large and hardy leaves and attractive display of flowers in spring.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachyglottis_repanda
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_RST.htm
http://www.bushmansfriend.co.nz/xurl/PageID/9165/ArticleID/-36629/function/moreinfo/content.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Brachyglottis_repanda.jpg

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