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Gentianaceae
Cancer Bush
Chironia baccifera
Medicinal hope.
- Family
- Gentianaceae
- Genus
- Chironia
- Native to
- South Africa, Southern Africa
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer
- Type
- shrub
- Height
- 1-3 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- well-drained, sandy
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- 9-11
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Chironia baccifera is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in South Africa, particularly by Khoikhoi and Xhosa healers.
- The bitter gentian-related compounds in the plant have been used to treat skin conditions, wounds, and fever for centuries.
- It is commonly called 'cancer bush,' though the name relates to traditional wound treatments rather than modern oncology.
- After flowering, the plant produces attractive small red berries that persist on the branches, adding ornamental value.
- The genus is named after Chiron, the wise centaur of Greek mythology renowned for his knowledge of medicinal plants.
Color meanings
0
healing
1
hope
2
Southern African tradition