RHYNCHOSIA CARIBAEA

This indigenous, herbaceous climber or creeper grows from a thick, woody rootstock. The stems are covered in short, soft hair and are slender. The leaves are strikingly beautiful, heart-shaped and trifoliate (i.e. divided into 3 leaflets). The flowers are 9–20 mm long, yellow with purple or dark blue stripes, and smooth. The fruit a pod, 20–35 × 5–9 mm, falcate (i.e. curved like a sickle), not inflated, and covered in long, silky, golden, glandular hairs. The seeds are black. The Rhynchosia caribaea plants attract butterflies, including Cupidopsis iobates and Actizera lucida.

Medical Uses
This indigenous, herbaceous climber is an important medicinal plant in traditional healing in southern Africa, especially for the Basotho and Zulu people. The lotion of cooked roots is used for the treatment of rheumatic pains. The powdered root is snuffed to alleviate headaches. The decoction of the plant is used for washing sheep and goat garments.
The roots are also used for preparation of non-alcoholic drinks and meals. The drink known as machao, is prepared by pounding the dried roots and the powder is then mixed with water and often sweetened with sugar. In preparing the meal, the roots are dried, pounded and cooked with water into porridge. The black seeds are frequently used for making ornamental chains and necklaces.