The underground caudex of the cycad Stangeria eriopus is used extensiv
ely by several ethnic groups in South Africa, mainly as an ingredient
in magical potions but also as an emetic. An assessment of two main ou
tlets showed that 3410 plants were sold in the month of July 1992; con
tinued usage of this material now threatens the remaining plant popula
tions. A proximate analysis of the caudex material gives high carbohyd
rate content with only small percentages of fat, protein, fibre and as
h. An unusually high content of sodium sulphate may explain the effica
cy of Stangeria-containing preparations as an emetic. The phytosterols
sitosterol and stigmasterol are present in a 4:1 ratio while the fatt
y acid component comprises palmitic, oleic, stearic and arachidic acid
s. Twelve amino acids were identified in the material, including the n
on-protein amino acids p-alanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid and pyroglut
amic acid. The candidate neurotoxin beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine could
not be detected but cycasin is present at the levels of 0.17% and 0.2
1% in fresh and dry caudex material, respectively and appears to be ac
companied by the related toxin, macrozamin.