Spider Plant

Chlorophytum comosum, the spider plant, is a perennial of the family Asparagaceae, native to tropical and Southern Africa. It is also called spider ivy and airplane plant. It has fleshy tuberous roots and grows plantlets on its flowering stems. Wikipedia describes it as non-toxic to humans and pets and considered edible. In its article on muti, Wikipedia lists it among eleven plants that Xhosa people in the Eastern Cape group under the term isicakathi, plants used mostly by pregnant women and children. The article says Chlorophytum comosum is used as a protective charm against evil spirits for both mother and child, and that these plants serve as protection against sorcery during pregnancy. This entry rests on those two articles, one for the plant and one for the Xhosa use.