Identification of Medicinal Cannabis landraces found in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

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J. People Plants Environ. 2024;27(4):259-267

Publication date (electronic) : 2024 August 31

doi : https://doi.org/10.11628/ksppe.2024.27.4.259

Azile Dumani^1,2,, TT. Silwana², B. Mpambani², AO. Oyedeji¹, I. Egbichi¹, A.H Seepe³

¹Student and Senior Lectures, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Science, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

²Director and Scientific Manager, Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Dohne Agricultural Development Institute, Stutterheim, Eastern Cape, South Africa

³Scientific Manager, Department of Agriculture, Land Reform & Rural Development, Quarantine Station, Polkadraai Road, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

^*Corresponding author: Azile Dumani, aziledumani@gmail.com

First author: Azile Dumani, aziledumani@gmail.com

This research received funding from the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR), Döhne Agricultural Development Institute (DADI), Directorate: Plant and Crop Production Research.

Received 2023 October 19; Revised 2024 July 30; Accepted 2024 July 30.

Abstract

Introduction

Recently, changes and variability in climatic patterns have increased considerably leading to collective concerns about the state of existing strategies to protect plant genetic resources for human use (Caproni et al., 2020). Thus classification, preservation and understanding of landraces is important in addressing both the existing and future agricultural challenges (Raggi et al., 2019). The genetic materials can evolve in response to changing environmental conditions as well as different selective pressures (Thormann et. al., 2017). Hence, carefully studied and maintained land-race populations are significant to present a biological bank of adaptive traits for preservation of the future of agriculture (Caproni et al., 2020). The genus Cannabis is an annual herbaceous plant in the Cannabinaceae plant family (Kuddus et al, 2013). As shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, the ancient biologist 'Baptise de Lamarck' divided the genus into two main species, namely Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica Lam, using the morphological and chemical characteristics as cited by (Lawrence, 2019).

Fig. 1

Illustration of two main cannabis species. Picture source: (McPartland, 2017).

Cannabis is a cosmopolitan species which is distributed worldwide, and the name "Cannabis" is collectively used to denote two (2) strains namely the drug or medicinal type often referred to as marijuana and industrial type which is referred to as hemp (Zuk-Golaszewska et al., 2018; Small 2016). Cannabis growth can be divided into two distinct growth stages; vegetative and the reproduction (flowering) stages (Caplan, 2018). The vegetative stage is characterized by lush, leafy, growth with an upright erect stems growing from 2 to 4 meters, slightly branched with greyish-green hairs (Kuddus et al, 2013). Its leaves are palmate, and are composed of five to seven leaflets, that are anchored on long thin petioles with acute stipules at their base. The leaflets are linear-lanceolate, tapering at both ends and have sharply serrated leaf margins as also described by (Klumpers et al., 2019). With regards to its reproduction, Cannabis is a wind-pollinated dioecious plant species whose sexual organs develop in separate plants (Pollio, 2018; Klumpers et al., 2019). The plant occasionally exhibits a monoecious (hermaphrodite) nature where the male and female flowers develop in the same plant (Zuk-Golaszewska et al., 2018; Chandra, 2017). However, this phenomenon is usually encountered in successive generations (Johnson, 2014). As shown in Figs. 2A and B, the flowering male and female plant are easily identified by their distinct inflorescence (Techen et al., 2010).

Fig. 2

Visual illustrations of cannabis flower gender. Picture source (Punja et al., 2020).

The flowers of Cannabis are unisexual. The male flowers develop in axillary and terminal panicles, and are apetalous, consisting of five yellowish petals and five poricidal stamens. The female flowers develop in the axils and terminals, and have one single-ovulate ovary (Caplan, 2018; Potter, 2014). During the flowering stage, the inflorescence of the female flower accumulates essential oils called cannabinoids, which is produced and stored in glandular trichomes (Hanus et al., 2016). The fruit is small, elliptic, smooth, light brownish grey in colour, and completely filled by the seed (Kuddus et al., 2018).

Cannabis is believed to have originated from Central Asia and its distribution prevails worldwide (Merlin, 2017). The plant has been extensively cultivated in Europe for fibre and medicinal purpose since 2800 BC. The crop showcased its value during the Roman Empire, where it was cultivated specifically for fibre and medicinal applications (Russo, 2011; Russo, 2007; Struik et al., 2000). In Africa, archaeological evidence describing historical existence of cannabis is limited. However, the continent-wide documentary trace the plant existence in Africa at the beginning of the nineteenth century (Duvall, 2019). There are records that early trading routes in Southern Africa facilitated the movement of the plant from the Indian Ocean shores through to Mozambique and further into the heart of the African continent (Duvall, 2019). In South Africa the plant is found growing in isolated patches where people harvested the floral parts for smoking (Duvall, 2019). The Khoikhoi tribe used the plant as an intoxicant and herbal remedy, using it either by chewing or boiling it. To the Xhosa communities residing in the Eastern parts of South Africa, the plant served as a source of financial income through trading (Peltzer and Ramlagan, 2007). As shown in the Fig. 3, cannabis is mostly found in the Eastern region of South Africa and in some Northern parts of the country namely Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal (Peltzer and Ramlagan, 2007).

Fig. 3

Cannabis distribution in South Africa, source (GIS DRDAR).

In the Eastern Cape cannabis is found growing in the Eastern part of the Wild Coast stretch (Thole, 2001; Kepe, 2003). Previous studies have reported that cannabis is mostly found in the rugged countryside of Eastern Pondoland, mostly in valleys and undercliff forests (Ngani, 1997). The Lusikisiki area in Ingquza hill Local Municipality is another area in the Eastern Cape that has gained a reputation for having high quality dagga/marijuana in the country (Kepe 2003). As such, the present study was conducted to identify the cannabis landraces found in Lusikisiki, Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, within the OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape.

Research Methods

Study location

The identification of medicinal cannabis landraces found in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, were conducted within three villages. These respective villages are located in the wild, where the cannabis grows in abundance in the Lusikisiki in Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa as shown in Fig. 4. Due to current legal implications in South Africa, the names of the villages are withheld and as such simply referred to as Village 1, Village 2, and Village 3 respectively in order to protect their identities.

Fig. 4

A schematic map of Eastern Cape Province showing OR Tambo district and Lusikisiki. Source: (Early warning–Döhne ADI).

There are studies that have shown that the OR Tambo district receives a summer season rainfall with mean annual ranging between 800 and 1000 mm. This climatic condition makes the area suitable for rain-fed arable agriculture and most especially as it has suitable slopes and fertile soils (Chetani et al., 2020; Nkamisa et al., 2022; Maponya et al., 2023).

Materials and methods

Specimens collection was carried out by modifying a sample collection standards method that was previously described by Frank and Perkins (2007). As shown in Fig. 5, prior collection of specimen, a clear visual picture of the entire plant was taken using a camera. Specimen collection was conducted carefully in the inland areas of the three villages situated at the valley forest agro-ecosystem where the cannabis normally grows. The specimens were collected when the plants were in their flowering stage.

Fig. 5

Visual picture of the cannabis plant tagged prior specimen collection: source (picture captured by A Dumani, August 2023).

As shown in Table 1, a total of eight (8) complete plant specimens which include stem, leaves and flowers were taken from the plant, viz, three specimens from village 1 and 3 and two from village 2. At collection, each specimen from a single locality was given a unique identifying number and tagged into both the plant and prepared voucher specimen respectively.

Table 1

Collection of Cannabis landraces in Lusikisiki villages

After seven days of collection, the dried specimens were mounted in a 42 cm × 29 cm standard herbarium sheet and prepared into voucher specimens as defined by Heldreth et al. (2007) and Royal Botanical Society (2009). As shown in Fig. 6, voucher specimens were examined for classification and authentication by a taxonomist at the Selmar Schonland herbarium, Rhodes University, Makhanda, Eastern Cape. The specimens were then deposited and housed at Dohne Agricultural Institute herbarium.

Fig. 6

Prepared voucher specimen for deposition and identification by a taxonomist: Source (Picture capture by A. Dumani, August 2023).

Results

The results (Table 2) show the information collected informally about the plants from the random villagers in three villages where cannabis landrace specimens were collected as well as the results obtained from the taxonomist and a curator of the Selmar Schonland herbarium, Rhodes University, Makhanda, Eastern Cape. After a thorough examination of the deposited voucher specimens using the morphological characteristics.

Table 2

Collection and identification information such a nearest town of collection, village number, sample unique number, local landrace name, confirmed scientific and common names and the name of the determiner

The findings as shown in Fig. 7, suggest that all the eight deposited voucher specimens collected across the three villages in Lusikisiki belong to genus Cannabis and are of sativa specific epithet (Cannabis sativa) and its strain is informally known as "Transkei Gold" as popularly known across the globe.

Fig. 7

Proof of species examination and identification from the curator in the Selma Schonland Herbarium.

Through informal interaction with villagers across the three villages, it has been found that Cannabis sativa is named and categorized based on its quality in terms of reproductive/flower gender by the aboriginal peoples. Thus the plant which is predominantly female flower (Fig. 8A) is referred to as 'Usincanga', the hermaphrodite flower (Fig. 8B) is referred to as 'uHlakatha' whilst the male flower (Fig. 8C) is called 'iGeza or Idyadya'.

Fig. 8

Visual illustrations of cannabis flowers categorized based on their gender. Source (captured by A. Dumani August 2023).

Discussion

The findings of this study concur with Makgakga, (2004) who reported the two taxonomically recognized Cannabis varieties namely sativa and indica available in South Africa with sativa predominantly found in the KwaZulu Natal, North West and Eastern Cape provinces. Although Cannabis sativa is commonly known 'Marijuana, Dagga or Intsangu' in botanical classification and nomenclature, people in these particular villages in Lusikisiki refer to it as 'Umthunzi wenkukhu' or 'Icuba elikhulu' preferable using these terms instead of the known term 'Intsangu' as it has social stigma. Kepe (2003) reported that the Xhosa-speaking aboriginal people of Eastern Cape refer to Cannabis as 'uMya' in respect of the use of the term 'Intsangu'. Furthermore, through informal interaction with villagers across the three villages, it has been found that Cannabis sativa is named and categorized based on its quality in terms of reproductive/flower gender by the aboriginal peoples. Thus the plant which is predominantly female flower (Fig. 7A) is referred to as 'Usincanga', the hermaphrodite flower (Fig. 7B) is referred to as 'uHlakatha' whilst the male flower (Fig. 7C) is called 'iGeza or Idyadya'. In terms of quality grading Usincanga is the first grade making it more economically valuable compared to 'Hlakatha/grade 2' and Igeza which is total a poor quality cannabis with no or little economic value. Caplan et al 2017 reported that the cannabis female flower is rich in medicinal properties and is the most economic feasible part. While its male flower has no commercial use except seed production (Zarei et al., 2022), This is attributed to the high level of knowledge the indigenous villagers possess with regard to growth, development and cultural use of these plants. According to Kepe (2003) Eastern part of the Eastern Cape Province has a rich biodiversity with complex flora that its value is understood by the people residing in Pondoland area.

Conclusion

The taxonomic results of this study portrays that the species of medicinal cannabis landraces found in forest valleys of three villages in Lusikisiki, Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa is classified to be and authentically a Cannabis sativa.

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