I guess we all have items that we measure at a certain set of established value, but that does not mean that we have to overlook the value of simple things. This is a little treasure that I came across while walking out in the bush.

On a late afternoon walk around the border fences of the farm looking for snares that threaten our livestock as well as some smaller wildlife, I came across a very fascinating plant that looks like something eerie that you would expect to see in the potions class in a Harry Potter movie, but that could just be because this plant is in fact magical!

Now at first when you spot this plant while still in the ground around the time it is ready to be harvested, you might just mistake it for a piece of burnt grass, but it is in fact the wild African Potato also known as African star grass, Bantu Tulip, Papa Silvestre Africana, and Pomme de Terre Sauvage d’Afrique, South African Star Grass and Sterretjie. And just like the household potato plant, once the roots is ready for harvesting the top part of the plant will die down, but before it does it grows much like a lily with a beautiful yellow flower. And I have sourced a picture in order to show you what this plant looks like in bloom, because the ones I found were already died off at the top and ready for harvesting.

image credit
(You can also click on the image credit link for more info on the African Potato.)

I think we are all familiar with potatoes especially when it comes to cooking, but I assure you that the wild African Potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea/Hypoxis rooperihas)has absolutely no relation to the common potato, and is in fact one of the medicinal wonder plants of the world and although it is indigenous to the African landscapes it has become more commonly used medicinally all over the world, and to some extent has been propagated and cultivated in numerous other countries and has become a great asset to any garden willing to have it. The great thing is that this plant will grow in pretty much any soil and produces brilliant flowers throughout the summer.

These are the roots that I managed to harvest on my expedition;

Not the prettiest plant when you look at it like this, is it? But here is the true beauty of this flower.

This plant has been traditionally used to treat and/or cure a variety of ailments such as prostate hypertrophy, urinary tract infections, constipation and intestinal worms. More popularly this plant is used for more serious conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, testicular tumors, tuberculosis and cancer and the plant is also used to treat anxiety, palpitations, depression. Even more is that you can make a tea from the root that will serve great as an immune booster as well as a strengthening tonic, especially while you are recovering from illness or ailment.

In the picture below, you can see the 'burnt' leaves that I was referring to earlier in the post.

This typical black appearance of the leaf is in fact not because the leaves rot after the top section of the plants die out, but rather a form of oxidation that occurs once the inside of the plant is exposed to the atmosphere. For the same reason once the root is cut open, it will almost immediately start turning black. An interesting thing is that this plant was used in pre-modern time as a die. But the value of this plant does not only extend to the roots - remember those beautiful green leaves in the top picture of the flowering plant? well that can also be used to make sturdy rope.

Here are some other common uses of this wonder-plant:

• It can curb internal bleeding/hemoraging
• It can repair nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain especially in conditions such as Multiple sclerosis & Epilepsy
• Used as a treatment for delirium
• Treats fever, headache, migraines and dizziness
• Combats chronic fatigue syndrome (Yuppie Flu) and lethargy.
• Treats Sinusitis
• Eye ailments like cataract can also be treated with this plant
• People living with HIV and AIDS makes use of this plant to support their immune system.
• Also great for counteracting oral problems such as gum infections as well as ulcers
• as well as high blood pressure and heart problems.
• As stated earlier, the African Potato helps fight against cancer but is also a great aid against the adverse effects of Chemotherapy.
• Stems treatment for Asthma
• Can help regulate blood sugar
• When it comes to the skin, this plant has anti ageing properties and can help with other skin problems such as acne, healing burn marks, allergic reactions, boils, eczema and complexion.
• Used as a cure for chicken pox and measles as well as other transmittable conditions like warts
• Can be used in cases of Lupus Erythematosus
• Helps burn body fat
• Treats cystitis and other bladder infections
• Numerous prostate conditions can be treated with this plant
• It can even help with the symptoms of menopause, PMS and endometriosis
• As well as muscle contractions sprains and inflammation.
• Counteracts against arthritis and rheumatoid Arthritis.

In some cultures it is even believed that this plant has the ability to ward off nightmares, bad thoughts and storms - but I am not to sure if I would go that far.

There are however some precautions, and if you are pregnant or have sitosterolemia you should not make use of this plant, and I would strongly advise consulting a doctor or a health practitioner about the use of this plant.

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But all and all I still think that the benefits of this plant outweighs the odds, plus would this lovely flowering Lilly not just be the perfect addition to any home garden?

For me finding them out in the wild was quite exciting, in the next few weeks I will be trying my hand at propagating some of these for my own garden!