Lasimorpha senegalensis
Lasimorpha senegalensis
Safety & Hazards
Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a family where most of the members contain calcium oxalate crystals. This substance is toxic fresh and, if eaten, makes the mouth, tongue and throat feel as if hundreds of small needles are digging in to them. However, calcium oxalate is easily broken down either by thoroughly cooking the plant or by fully drying it and, in either of these states, it is safe to eat the plant. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones and hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet[ 238 Title Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Publication Author Bown. D. Publisher Dorling Kindersley, London. Year 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31 Description A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant. ].
Botanical Description
Lasimorpha senegalensis is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing a clump of leaves from a short, thick rhizome that is vigorously stoloniferous. The leaves each comprise an erect, spiny petiole up to 100cm long (exceptionally to 200cm), topped with an arrow-shaped leaf blade up to 50cm long (exceptionally to 100cm) and 30cm wide (exceptionally 40cm). The inflorescence is a cylindrical, purplish spadix up to 12cm long, enclosed by a spathe up to 45cm long, on a spiny, solitary peduncle up to 150cm (exceptionally 250cm) long, emerging from the leaves[ 299 Title Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Publication Author Website http://www.prota.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa. ]. The plant usually forms large populations due to its strong development of underground suckers[ 299 Title Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Publication Author Website http://www.prota.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. The possibilities for its use as an indoor pot plant in temperate climates or as garden pond ornamental in warmer climates seem promising[ 299 Title Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Publication Author Website http://www.prota.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa. ]. This species has an abundant population and wide distribution. It faces no major widespread threats and populations are stable. It is, however, potentially impacted by agricultural development, invasion by other species (Cyperus papyrus for example), and water pollution. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].