Buchu, Round leaf buchu
Agathosma betulina

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 2 m high. The leaves are small, broad and dotted with glands. The flowers are white or pale purple.

There are about 135 Agathosma species.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. It grows in the high mountains of the Western cape province of South Africa. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 400-700 mm. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Madagascar, Malawi, Mediterranean, North Africa, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa, Tunisia

How it is used for food

The leaves and oil are used for flavouring. An oil extract is used to flavour candy, ice cream and baked goods. The leaves are used in the preparation of brandy. The roots are use as a flavouring and preservative.

Edible parts

Leaves, oil, leaves - tea, root, flavouring

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Barosma betulina (Berg.) Bartling & H. L. Wendl.; Barosma orbicularis Sweet; Bucco betulina Schult.; Diosma betulina (P. J. Bergius) Thunb. [Illegitimate]; Diosma crenata Lodd. [Illegitimate]; Hartogia betulina P. J. Bergius;