DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS AND GEOGRAPHIC-DISTRIBUTION OF ALEPIDEA SPECIESUSED IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

Species of Alepidea F. Delaroche (Apiaceae) are utilized as a source o f medicine and food by various ethnic groups in South Africa. Data per taining to the identity and commercial significance of different speci es is fragmentary and incomplete. Field work, herbarium studies and a literature survey have shown that at least six species are utilized fo r medicinal purposes: A. amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh., A. comosa Dummer, A . longifolia Dummer, A. macowanii Dummer, A. pilifera Weimarck and A. setifera N.E. Br. Only A. amatymbica is exploited commercially. Diagno stic characters are discussed and illustrated and distribution maps ar e provided. The demand for rhizomes and roots of Alepidea species (esp ecially the dried rhizomes of A. amatymbica), together with habitat de gradation and destruction, could threaten the sustainability of this m edicinal plant resource.