GERANIACEAE
Monsonia angustifolia
Crane's Bill
Wildflowers© Brenden Pienaar (2015)
© Derek Solomon (2020) • RV254
© Janine Scorer (2015)
Local Context
Widespread on the estate, but always a good find. Occurs in diverse habitats throughout tropical Africa.Identification
- Growth: Upright or sprawling annual herb (15–50 cm tall), sometimes with semi-succulent stems that are often tinged with red or purple.
- Flowers: White, mauve, pink, blue, purplish, or rarely yellow, appearing alone or in small groups of 2–3; the petals are roughly triangular with a slightly 3-lobed tip and usually have distinct dark blue or greyish veins.
- Leaves: Narrow and strip-like to narrowly oval (1.5–5.5 cm long) with toothed or wavy edges and a notched tip; at the base of the leaf stalks are straw-colored, often spiny structures (stipules).
- Texture: The plant is covered in two types of hair: short curved hairs and longer, straight hairs that often have glands (making it slightly sticky); the fruit tails are covered in stiff white or copper-colored hairs.
- Fruit: A distinctive long, beak-like fruit (4.5–9.5 cm long) resembling a crane's bill, which splits into separate feather-tailed seeds when ripe.
Did You Know?
Traditionally, Monsonia angustifolia serves as a natural Viagra by using a decoction of its aerial parts, specifically the dried leaves and stems. Known as Teebossie, this herbal remedy is consumed as a medicinal tea to treat erectile dysfunction. The plant's active compounds, like saponins, are extracted through boiling and taken orally to boost libido and testosterone levels, often just before intercourse to improve performance.