horses as well as for campers. The superstition that only horses and dogs can see ghosts
resulted in the Afrikaans name “perdespook”
for Bushman poison bulb (Boophone disticha). This name was given because horses are
sometimes frightened by dried inflorescence
(clusters of flowers) of the Bushman poison
bulb that the wind blows across the veld.
A common name that immediately evokes images of a kraal is “misbredie” or pigweed for
several species of Amaranthus, as the plants
are generally found in sheltered places in
kraals where they germinate from seed contained in the droppings of animals that fed on
the plants. The leaves of most species are
used to make a stew; in Sesotho and Setswana the “misbredie”-plant is c alled “marago”.
Plant names with their origin in the wine industry include “misblom” or March lily
(Amaryllis belladonna) and “misrybol” or April
fool (Haemanthus coccineus). Plants of both
species flower from March to April when the
wine farmers commenced carting manure into
the vineyards.
Stories about farmers who acquired undying
fame after letting plants get out of hand on
their land, are found in common names such
as Klaaslouw bush (Athanasia crithmifolia
subsp. crithmifolia) and the alien weed
Pietjielaport (Athanasia crithmifolia). An alien
introduced from Europe inherited the name of
“boetebossie” or burweed (Xanthium spinosum). The name for this plant spread as
fast as this phenomenal weed itself. The name
symbolizes the frustration associated with
weed control. Despite fines being levied since
1860, the weed could not be eradicated.
“Vernietbossie”, an uncommon and local
name for this tenacious weed, reflects one of
the humorous aspects of weed control – the
Afrikaans expression goes “dit is verniet of jy
hom kan keer” which translates to no matter
what you do, it (the spreading of the plant)
can’t be stopped. However, the psychological
property of penance (“boete”) evoked by the
name “boetebossie” was too deep-seated and
the common name persisted.
References:
Smith, Christo Albertyn. (1966). The Common
Names of South African Plants. Botanical Research Institute of the Department of Agricultural Technical Services: Pretoria.
Swart, Madine. (2016). Flora se Geheime Taal
– Stories van Suider-Afrikaanse Plante.
Strandveld Boeke: Strand.