cancer bush

English

A cancer bush with pods and flowers.

Alternative forms

• cancer-bush

Etymology

From cancer (“disease”) +‎ bush, probably a calque of Afrikaans kankerbos. Named after one of its uses in folk medicine.

Noun

cancer bush (plural cancer bushes)

1. A legume native to Southern Africa that grows red flowers and bloated pods, often used in folk medicine; Lessertia frutescens (formerly Sutherlandia frutescens).

   Synonyms: balloon pea, sutherlandia