Register      Login
Australian Systematic Botany Australian Systematic Botany Society
Taxonomy, biogeography and evolution of plants
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

The diversity and multiple uses of southern African legumes

Ben-Erik Van Wyk https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0306-8193
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa. Email: bevanwyk@uj.ac.za

Australian Systematic Botany 32(6) 519-546 https://doi.org/10.1071/SB19028
Submitted: 3 April 2019  Accepted: 13 August 2019   Published: 1 October 2019

Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2019 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND

Abstract

Southern Africa has a rich legume flora comprising 133 indigenous genera and 1620 indigenous species, of which 1059 species (65%) are endemic to the flora of southern Africa region. An additional 128 non-indigenous species have become naturalised, of which 59 are invasive, resulting in 1748 species from 165 genera. There are 22 (17%) endemic genera, one endemic tribe (Hypocalyptieae) and one near-endemic tribe (Podalyrieae, with 122 of the 123 species endemic). The diversity of uses (given as total/indigenous spp.) include food and beverages (127/115 spp.), medicine (338/291 spp.), magic and charms (113/104 spp.), timber (59/55 spp.), firewood (43/31 spp.) and 10 more minor use categories. Regression analyses showed that the levels of endemism in subfamilies and tribes are directly related to the numbers of species but that the number of useful species is not related to species numbers, except for the non-papilionoid subfamilies (all uses) and non-genistoid papilionoids (medicinal uses only). The Phaseoleae and Millettieae showed high residual values in several analyses, indicating that they have been favoured in the selection of useful plants. Diversity in habit and chemistry seems to explain at least partly the use patterns.

Additional keywords: commercial legumes, endemism, Fabaceae, genistoid legumes, least-square regression analysis, Leguminosae, ornamental legumes, pasture legumes, flora of southern Africa.


References

Ajao AA, Boatwright JS, Moteetee A (2018) Rhynchosia waterbergensis (Cajaninae, Phaseoleae, Fabaceae), a new unifoliate species from Waterberg, South Africa. Phytotaxa 382, 234–238.
Rhynchosia waterbergensis (Cajaninae, Phaseoleae, Fabaceae), a new unifoliate species from Waterberg, South Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Arnold TH, Prentice CA, Hawker LC, Snyman EE, Tomalin M, Crouch NR, Pottas-Bircher C (2002) ‘Medicinal and Magical Plants of Southern Africa: an Annotated Checklist. Strelitzia, vol. 13.’ (National Botanical Institute: Pretoria, South Africa)

Bello A, Stirton CH, Chimphango SBM, Muasya AM (2017) Taxonomic revision of African Psoralea pinnata complex (Psoraleeae, Leguminosae). South African Journal of Botany 112, 128–179.
Taxonomic revision of African Psoralea pinnata complex (Psoraleeae, Leguminosae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Boon R (2010) ‘Pooley’s Trees of Eastern of South Africa: a Complete Guide’, 2nd edn. (Flora and Fauna Publications: Durban, South Africa)

Bromilow C (2019) ‘Problem Plants and Alien Weeds of South Africa’, 4th edn. (Briza Publications: Pretoria, South Africa)

Corrigan BM, Van Wyk B-E, Geldenhuys CJ, Jardine JM (2011) Ethnobotanical plant uses in the KwaNibela Peninsula, St Lucia, South Africa. South African Journal of Botany 77, 346–359.
Ethnobotanical plant uses in the KwaNibela Peninsula, St Lucia, South Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Crisp MD, Gilmore S, Van Wyk B-E (2000) Molecular phylogeny of the genistoid tribes of the papilionoid legumes. In ‘Advances in Legume Systematics 9’. (Eds PS Herendeen, A Bruneau) pp. 247–276. (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: London, UK)

de Queiroz LP, Pastore JF, Cardoso D, Snak C, Lima AL, Gagnon E, Vatanparast M, Holland AE, Egan AN (2015) A multilocus phylogenetic analysis reveals the monophyly of a recircumscribed papilionoid legume tribe Diocleae with well-supported generic relationships. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 90, 1–9.
A multilocus phylogenetic analysis reveals the monophyly of a recircumscribed papilionoid legume tribe Diocleae with well-supported generic relationships.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25934529PubMed |

Dlamini B (1981) ‘Swaziland Flora: Their Local Names and Uses.’ (Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives – Forestry section: Mbabane, Eswatini)

Dold AP, Cocks ML (2000) Indigenous plant use of the amaXhosa people on the eastern border of the Great Fish River Reserve, Eastern Cape. Annals of Eastern Cape Museums 1, 26–53.

Douwes E, Crouch NR, Edwards TJ, Mulholland DA (2008) Regression analyses of southern African ethnomedicinal plants: informing the targeted selection of bioprospecting and pharmacological screening subjects. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 119, 356–364.
Regression analyses of southern African ethnomedicinal plants: informing the targeted selection of bioprospecting and pharmacological screening subjects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18761073PubMed |

Dyer S, James B, James D (2016) ‘Guide to the Properties and Uses of Southern African Wood.’ (Briza Publications: Pretoria, South Africa)

Egan AN, Crandall KA (2008) Incorporating gaps as phylogenetic characters across eight DNA regions: ramifications for North American Psoraleeae (Leguminosae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 46, 532–546.
Incorporating gaps as phylogenetic characters across eight DNA regions: ramifications for North American Psoraleeae (Leguminosae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18039582PubMed |

Egan AN, Vatanparast M, Cagle W (2016) Parsing polyphyletic Pueraria: delimiting distinct evolutionary lineages through phylogeny. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 104, 44–59.
Parsing polyphyletic Pueraria: delimiting distinct evolutionary lineages through phylogeny.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27495827PubMed |

Erbaş M (2010) The effects of different debittering methods on the production of lupin bean snack from bitter Lupınus albus L. seeds. Journal of Food Quality 33, 742–757.
The effects of different debittering methods on the production of lupin bean snack from bitter Lupınus albus L. seeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fox FW, Norwood Young ME (1982) ‘Food from the Veld’. (Delta Books: Johannesburg, South Africa)

Glen HF (2002) ‘Cultivated Plants of Southern Africa.’ (Jacana: Johannesburg, South Africa)

Grace OM, Prendergast HDV, Van Staden J, Jäger AK (2002) The status of bark in South African health care. South African Journal of Botany 68, 21–30.
The status of bark in South African health care.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Harborne JB, Boulter D, Turner BL (1971) ‘Chemotaxonomy of the Leguminosae.’ (Academic Press: London, UK)

Hegnauer R, Hegnauer M (1994) ‘Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen, Leguminosae vol. 11a.’ (Birkhäuser: Basel, Switzerland)

Hegnauer R, Hegnauer M (1996) ‘Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen, Leguminosae vol. 11b-1.’ (Birkhäuser: Basel, Switzerland)

Hegnauer R, Hegnauer M (2001) ‘Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen, Leguminosae vol. 11b-2.’ (Birkhäuser: Basel, Switzerland)

Howieson JG, de Meyer SE, Vivas-Marfisi A, Ratnayake S, Ardley JK, Yates RJ (2013) Novel Burkholderia bacteria isolated from Lebeckia ambigua: a perennial suffrutescent legume of the fynbos. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 60, 55–64.
Novel Burkholderia bacteria isolated from Lebeckia ambigua: a perennial suffrutescent legume of the fynbos.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hu JM, Lavin M, Wojciechowski MF, Sanderson MJ (2000) Phylogenetic systematics of the tribe Millettieae (Leguminosae) based on chloroplast trnK/matK sequences and its implications for evolutionary patterns in Papilionoideae. American Journal of Botany 87, 418–430.
Phylogenetic systematics of the tribe Millettieae (Leguminosae) based on chloroplast trnK/matK sequences and its implications for evolutionary patterns in Papilionoideae.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 10719003PubMed |

Joubert E, De Beer D (2011) Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) beyond the farm gate: from herbal tea to potential phytopharmaceutical. South African Journal of Botany 77, 869–886.
Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) beyond the farm gate: from herbal tea to potential phytopharmaceutical.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Joubert E, Gelderblom WCA, Louw A, De Beer D (2008) South African herbal teas: Aspalathus linearis, Cyclopia spp. and Athrixia phylicoides. A review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 119, 376–412.
South African herbal teas: Aspalathus linearis, Cyclopia spp. and Athrixia phylicoides. A review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18621121PubMed |

Kajita T, Ohashi H, Tateishi Y, Bailey CD, Doyle JJ (2001) rbcL and legume phylogeny, with particular reference to Phaseoleae, Millettieae and allies. Systematic Botany 26, 515–536.

Kinghorn AD, Balandrin MF (1984) Quinolizidine alkaloids of the Leguminosae: structural types, analysis, chemotaxonomy and biological activities. In ‘Alkaloids: Chemical and Biological Perspectives’. (Ed. WS Pelletier) pp. 105–148. (Wiley: New York, NY, USA)

Leffers A (2003) ‘Gemsbok Bean and Kalahari Truffle. Traditional Plant use by Jul’hoansi in North-Eastern Namibia.’ (Macmillan Education Namibia: Windhoek, Namibia)

Legume Phylogeny Working Group (2017) A new subfamily classification of the Leguminosae based on a taxonomically comprehensive phylogeny. Taxon 66, 44–77.
A new subfamily classification of the Leguminosae based on a taxonomically comprehensive phylogeny.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lewis G, Schrire B, Mackinder B, Lock M (2005) ‘Legumes of the World.’ (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: London, UK)

Magwede K, Van Wyk B-E, Van Wyk AE (2019) An inventory of Vhavenḓa useful plants. South African Journal of Botany 122, 57–89.
An inventory of Vhavenḓa useful plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Mannheimer CA, Curtis BA (Eds) (2009) ‘Le Roux and Müller’s Field Guide to the Trees and Shrubs of Namibia.’ (Macmillan Education Namibia; Windhoek, Namibia)

Mhlongo LS, Van Wyk B-E (2019) ‘Zulu medicinal ethnobotany: new records from the Amandawe area of KwaZulu–Natal, South Africa’. South African Journal of Botany 122, 266–290.
‘Zulu medicinal ethnobotany: new records from the Amandawe area of KwaZulu–Natal, South Africa’.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Moffett R (2010) ‘Sesotho Plant and Animal Names and Plants used by the Basotho.’ (Sun Press: Bloemfontein, South Africa)

Mogale MMP, Van Wyk B-E, Raimondo DC (2019) The ethnobotany of central Sekhukhuneland, South Africa. South African Journal of Botany 122, 90–119.
The ethnobotany of central Sekhukhuneland, South Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Moteetee A, Van Wyk B-E (2007) The concept of ’Musapelo and the medicinal use of shrubby legumes (Fabaceae) in Lesotho. Bothalia 37, 75–77.
The concept of ’Musapelo and the medicinal use of shrubby legumes (Fabaceae) in Lesotho.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Moteetee A, Moffett RO, Seleteng-Kose L (2019) A review of the ethnobotany of the Basotho of Lesotho and the Free State Province of South Africa (South Sotho). South African Journal of Botany 122, 21–56.
A review of the ethnobotany of the Basotho of Lesotho and the Free State Province of South Africa (South Sotho).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Olivier DK (2012) The ethnobotany and chemistry of South African traditional tonic plants. PhD thesis, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Olivier DK, Van Wyk B-E (2013) Bitterness values for traditional tonic plants of southern Africa. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 147, 676–679.
Bitterness values for traditional tonic plants of southern Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23545459PubMed |

Peters CR, O’Brien EM, Drummond RB (1992) ‘Edible Wild Plants of Sub-Saharan Africa.’ (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: London, UK)

Pooley E (1993) ‘The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei.’ (Flora Publications Trust: Durban, South Africa)

Pooley E (2005) ‘A Field Guide to Wild Flowers of KwaZulu–Natal and the Eastern Regions’. (Flora and Fauna Publications: Durban, South Africa)

Pooley E (2013) ‘Mountain Flowers: a Field Guide to the Flora of the Drakensberg and Lesotho.’ (Flora Publications Trust: Durban, South Africa)

Smith C, Myburgh KH (2004) Treatment with Sutherlandia frutescens ssp. microphylla alters the corticosterone response to chronic intermittent immobilization stress in rats. South African Journal of Science 100, 229–232.

Southon IW (Ed.) (1994) ‘Phytochemical Dictionary of the Leguminosae.’ (Chapman and Hall: London, UK)

Sprent JI (2001) ‘Nodulation in Legumes.’ (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: London, UK)

Sprent JI, Ardley J, James EK (2017) Biogeography of nodulated legumes and their nitrogen-fixing symbionts. New Phytologist 215, 40–56.
Biogeography of nodulated legumes and their nitrogen-fixing symbionts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28211601PubMed |

Stefanović S, Pfeil BE, Palmer JD, Doyle JJ (2009) Relationships among phaseoloid legumes based on sequences from eight chloroplast regions. Systematic Botany 34, 115–128.
Relationships among phaseoloid legumes based on sequences from eight chloroplast regions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Stepanova AV, Kotina EL, Tilney PM, Van Wyk B-E (2013) Wood and bark anatomy of Hypocalyptus support its isolated taxonomic position in Leguminosae. South African Journal of Botany 89, 234–239.
Wood and bark anatomy of Hypocalyptus support its isolated taxonomic position in Leguminosae.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Stepanova AV, Oskolski AA, Van Wyk B-E (2017) Wood anatomy of Australian mirbelioids and allies (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae). Australian Journal of Botany 65, 556–572.
Wood anatomy of Australian mirbelioids and allies (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Stirton CH, Muasya AM (2016) Seven new species and notes on the genus Aspalathus (Crotalarieae, Fabaceae). South African Journal of Botany 104, 35–46.
Seven new species and notes on the genus Aspalathus (Crotalarieae, Fabaceae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Stirton CH, Muasya AM (2017) Ten new species and a new record for the genus Otholobium (Psoraleeae, Leguminosae) from South Africa. Kew Bulletin 72, 50
Ten new species and a new record for the genus Otholobium (Psoraleeae, Leguminosae) from South Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Stirton CH, Bello A, Muasya AM (2018) Psoralea forbesiae (Psoraleeae, Fabaceae), a new species from the Swartberg Mountains, South Africa. PhytoKeys 99, 93–99.
Psoralea forbesiae (Psoraleeae, Fabaceae), a new species from the Swartberg Mountains, South Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Trytsman M (2013) Diversity and pasture potential of legumes indigenous to southern Africa. PhD thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.

Trytsman M, Van Wyk AE, Masemola EL (2011) Systematics, diversity and forage value of indigenous legumes of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. African Journal of Biotechnology 10, 13773–13779.
Systematics, diversity and forage value of indigenous legumes of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Trytsman M, Westfall RH, Breytenbach PJJ, Calitz FJ, Van Wyk AE (2016) Diversity and biogeographical patterns of legumes (Leguminosae) indigenous to southern Africa. PhytoKeys 70, 53–96.
Diversity and biogeographical patterns of legumes (Leguminosae) indigenous to southern Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Trytsman M, Masemola EL, Müller FL, Calitz FJ, Van Wyk AE (2019) Assessing legumes indigenous to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland for their pasture potential. African Journal of Range & Forage Science 36, 27–40.
Assessing legumes indigenous to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland for their pasture potential.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Van Wyk B-E (2005) ‘Food Plants of the World.’ (Timber Press: Portland, OR, USA)

Van Wyk B-E, Gericke N (2000) ‘People’s Plants. A Guide to Useful Plants of Southern Africa.’ (Briza Publications: Pretoria, South Africa)

Van Wyk B-E, Gericke N (2018) ‘People’s Plants. A Guide to Useful Plants of Southern Africa’, 2nd edn. (Briza Publications: Pretoria, South Africa)

Van Wyk B-E, Gorelik B (2017) The history and ethnobotany of Cape herbal teas. South African Journal of Botany 110, 18–38.
The history and ethnobotany of Cape herbal teas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Van Wyk B-E, Wink M (2018) ‘Medicinal Plants of the World’, 2nd edn. (CABI: London, UK)

Van Wyk B-E, De Wet H, Van Heerden FR (2008a) An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in the southeastern Karoo, South Africa. South African Journal of Botany 74, 696–704.
An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in the southeastern Karoo, South Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Van Wyk P, Van Wyk AE, Van Wyk B-E (2008b) ‘Photo Guide to Trees of Southern Africa.’ (Briza Publications: Pretoria, South Africa)

Van Wyk B-E, Van Oudtshoorn B, Gericke N (2009) ‘Medicinal Plants of Southern Africa’, 2nd edn. (Briza Publications: Pretoria, South Africa)

Van Wyk B, Van den Berg E, Coates Palgrave M, Jordaan M (2011) ‘Dictionary of Names for Southern African Trees.’ (Briza Academic Books: Pretoria, South Africa)

Veitch NC (2010) Flavonoid chemistry of the Leguminosae. In ‘Recent Advances in Polyphenol Research’. (Eds C Santos-Buelga, MT Escribano-Baillon, V Lattanzio) pp. 23–58. (Wiley-Blackwell: Chichester, UK)

Von Ahlefeldt D, Crouch NR, Nichols G, Symmonds R, McKean S, Sibiya H, Sibiya MP, Gordon-Gray KD (Eds) (2003) ‘Medicinal Plants Traded on South Africa’s Eastern Seaboard.’ (EThekwini Parks Department: Durban, South Africa)

Watt JM, Breyer-Brandwijk MG (1962) ‘Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of Southern and Eastern Africa’, 2nd edn. (Livingstone: London, UK)

Welcome A, Van Wyk B-E (2019) An inventory and analysis of the food plants of southern Africa. South African Journal of Botany 122, 136–179.
An inventory and analysis of the food plants of southern Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wiersema JH, León B (2016) ‘World Economic Plants: a Standard Reference’, 2nd edn. (CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA)

Wink M (2013) Evolution of secondary metabolites in legumes (Fabaceae). South African Journal of Botany 89, 164–175.
Evolution of secondary metabolites in legumes (Fabaceae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wink M, Van Wyk B-E (2008) ‘Mind-Altering and Poisonous Plants of the World.’ (Timber Press: Portland, OR, USA)

Wojciechowski MF, Lavin M, Sanderson MJ (2004) A phylogeny of legumes (Leguminosae) based on analysis of the plastid matK gene resolves many well-supported subclades within the family. American Journal of Botany 91, 1846–1862.
A phylogeny of legumes (Leguminosae) based on analysis of the plastid matK gene resolves many well-supported subclades within the family.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21652332PubMed |

Yessoufou K, Daru BH, Muasya AM (2015) Phylogenetic exploration of commonly used medicinal plants in South Africa. Molecular Ecology Resources 15, 405–413.
Phylogenetic exploration of commonly used medicinal plants in South Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25066923PubMed |