PhD Project

This study is a quantitative ethnobotanical survey of the medicinal plants of the Little Karoo in South Africa. The Little Karoo or Klein Karoo (ca. 23 500 square km, from Montagu in the West to Uniondale in the East) has a rich and unique flora that is relatively well described. A total of almost 3200 species have been recorded, of which more than 400 are endemic. Despite this rich plant diversity, no comprehensive study of the medicinal plants of the region has yet been attempted and almost no published scientific information is available. The aim of the study is therefore to accurately record traditional knowledge (of Khoi-San and Cape Dutch origin) about the plants and their uses. The Matrix Method will be used to explore the main patterns of plant use and to provide rigorous data for wider comparative studies. Cultural and socio-economic changes in the Cape region of South Africa are leading to a rapid loss of indigenous knowledge, so that there is some urgency to record plant use information for the benefit of future generations.

Awards

• 2016 SAAB Conference: Best oral presentation by a PhD student
• 2015 IPUF/SEB Conference: 3rd Best paper presentation by a young scientist
• 2015 SAAB Conference: Best oral presentation by a PhD student
• 2014 IPUF Conference: 3rd Best paper presentation by a young scientist
• 2009 UJ Post graduate symposium: Best Masters Project presentation
• 2009 IPUF Conference: 2nd Best paper presentation by a young scientist
• 2008 IPUF Conference: Best poster presentation by a young scientist
• 2007 UJ Post graduate symposium: Best Honours project presentation, Aspen Gold Medal Award
• 2007 IPUF Conference: Best paper presentation by a young scientist

Publications

Hulley, I.M., Viljoen, A.M., Tilney, P.M., Van Vuuren, S.F., Kamatou, G.P.P., Van Wyk, B.-E. 2011. Pteronia divaricata (Asteraceae): a newly recorded Cape herbal medicine. South African Journal of Botany 77, 66-74.

Hulley, I.M., Viljoen, A.M., Tilney, P.M., Van Vuuren, S.F., Kamatou, G.P.P., Van Wyk, B.-E. 2010. The ethnobotany, leaf anatomy, essential oil variation and biological activity of Pteronia incana (Asteraceae). South African Journal of Botany 76, 668-675.

Hulley, I.M., Viljoen, A.M., Tilney, P.M., Van Vuuren, S.F., Kamatou, G.P.P., Van Wyk, B.-E. 2009. Ethnobotany, leaf anatomy, essential oil composition and antibacterial activity of Pteronia onobromoides (Asteraceae). South African Journal of Botany 76, 43-48.

Conference contributions

Hulley, I.M., Van Wyk, B.-E., Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2016. "Quantitative medicinal ethnobotany of the Little Karoo: which species are used for what ailments?". (lecture: 42nd Annual Conference of the South African Association of Botanists (SAAB), University of the Free State, Bloemfontein Campus, Bloemfontein, South Africa, 10-14 January 2016). (award: best presentation by a PhD student)

Hulley, I.M., Van Wyk, B.-E., Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2015. "Ethnobotany of the Little Karoo, South Africa". (lecture: 18th Conference of the Indigenous Plant Use Forum joint with the 56th Conference of the Society for Economic Botany (SEB), Clanwilliam, South Africa, 28 June-02 July 2015). (award: third best presentation by a young scientist)

Hulley, I.M., Van Wyk, B.-E., Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2015. "Medicinal ethnobotany of the Little Karoo, South Africa". (lecture: 41st Annual Conference of the South African Association of Botanists (SAAB), Tshipise Resort/University of Venda, 11-15 January 2015). (award: best presentation by a PhD student)

Kinfe, H.H., Hulley, I.M., Van Wyk, B.-E. 2014. "The ethnobotany and chemical diversity of heuningdou (Pegolettia baccharidifolia), a popular but poorly known Cape traditional medicine". (lecture: 17th Conference of the Indigenous Plant Use Forum, University of the Free State, Qwa-Qwa Campus, Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa, 30 June-3 July 2014)

Hulley, I.M., Van Wyk, B.-E., Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2014. "An assessment of the need for ethnobotanical studies in the Little Karoo, South Africa". (lecture: 17th Conference of the Indigenous Plant Use Forum, University of the Free State, Qwa-Qwa Campus, Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa, 30 June-3 July 2014) (third place: award for best presentation by a young scientist)

Hulley, I.M., Van Wyk, B.-E. 2011. "A review on the medicinal uses and chemical compounds of African Apiaceae". (lecture: 14th Conference of the Indigenous Plant Use Forum, St Lucia, South Africa, 4-7 July 2011)

Hulley, I.M., Viljoen, A.M., Van Vuuren, S.F., Tilney, P.M., Kamatou, G.P.P.,Van Wyk, B.-E. 2010. "A review of Pteronia species used in traditional medicine in South Africa". (lecture: 36th Congress of the South African Association of Botanists, Potchefstroom, South Africa, 11-15 January 2010)

Hulley, I.M., Viljoen, A.M., Van Vuuren, S.F., Tilney, P.M., Kamatou, G.P.P.,Van Wyk, B.-E. 2010. "The ethnobotany of Pteronia species". (lecture: 13th Conference of the Indigenous Plant Use Forum, Keimoes, South Africa, 28 June-1 July 2010)

Hulley, I.M., Van Wyk, B.-E., Tilney, P.M. 2009. "The leaf anatomy of ethnobotanically important Pteronia species". (lecture: 35th Congress of the South African Association of Botanists, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 19-22 January 2009)

Hulley, I.M., Viljoen, A.M., Tilney, P.M., Van Vuuren, S.F., Kamatou, G.P. &Van Wyk, B.-E. 2009. "Ethnobotany, leaf anatomy, essential oil composition and antibacterial activity of Pteronia onobromoides (Asteraceae)". (lecture: 12th Conference of the Indigenous Plant Use Forum, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 6-9 July 2009)

Hulley, I.M., Van Wyk, B.-E., Tilney, P.M. 2008. "Macroscopic, microscopic and chromatographic methods for quality control of Hoodia species". (poster: 11th Conference of the Indigenous Plant Use Forum, Graaff-Reinet, South Africa, 7-10 July 2008) (joint winner of IPUF Best Poster Award 2008)

Hulley, I.M., Van Wyk, B.-E., Tilney, P.M. 2007."The use of Thin Layer Chromatography and stem anatomy to identify Hoodia raw material and common adulterants". (lecture: 10th Conference of the Indigenous Plant Use Forum, University of Johannesburg, 2-5 July 2007) (award for best presentation by a young scientist)