Ubutshani
Utshani bubhekisela emindenini eyahlukene yezitshalo . Imindeni emithathu emikhulu yezitshalo ezingatshani zihlanganisa utshani bangempela ( utshani ), amakhwani ( i-Cyperaceae ), kanye nama-rushe ( i-Juncaceae ). Izinandi namadlelo ngokuvamile akhiwa utshani bangempela, obuhlanu bawo bumboza amaphesenti angama-46 wendawo yokulima emhlabeni: izindumbuluzana, umdloyo, ummbila, umnhlayi, kanye nomoba .
Igama elithi "utshani" lisetshenziswe eqenjini elikhulu lezitshalo ezingahlobene, okuhlanganisa nezitshalo ezinamaqabunga neziqu zazo ezidliwa yizilwane ezifuywayo nezasendle.
Utshani bungabhekisela endaweni eluhlaza, njengotshani, isiqiwu, noma insimu, futhi buvame ukusetshenziselwa ukuzijabulisa noma imidlalo efana ne nomphebezo wesinandi noma izitsha . Kusukela ngawo-1970, ezinye izindawo zemidlalo ziye zafaka utshani bokwenziwa ukuze kuncishiswe izindleko zokulungisa.