About Agathosma crenulata (L.) Pillans
Agathosma crenulata, previously classified as Barosma crenulata, is a flowering plant in the Rutaceae family. It is native to lower elevation mountains in southwestern South Africa, where it grows near streams in fynbos habitats. This species is an evergreen shrub that reaches 1.5 to 2.5 meters in height. Its leaves are opposite, oval-shaped, measuring 15 to 35 millimeters long and 7 to 18 millimeters wide. The flowers are white or pale pink with five petals, and the fruit is a five-sectioned capsule that splits open to release seeds. This plant is commonly called oval leaf buchu. It has historically been used both as a flavoring agent and an herbal remedy. A very closely related species, Agathosma betulina (previously Barosma betulina), is called round leaf buchu and has been used for the same purposes. Agathosma crenulata produces many sweet-scented white flowers that attract nectar-feeding insects, after which it forms small green fruits. Traditionally, its leaves have been steeped in brandy, vinegar, and tea water, and are reported to relieve gastrointestinal and urinary tract conditions.
