The relatively unknown small genus, Orthanthera consists of six species: five in Africa and one from India, Pakistan and Nepal. It is unknown whether plants are cultivated, but because of their adaption to grow in harsh environments, they may contain genes that may be a useful trait in acidification because of global warming.

The flowers of Orthanthera jasminiflora are sweetly scented and in the Kalahari, homemade pot-pourri is made from them. The boiled young fruits are eaten here as a vegetable and the rootstock is used in the brewing of beer. In Botswana, members of the Hmbukushu eat the young fruit and leaves as a leafy vegetable (morogo) with their staple (maize), or the peeled young fruit are eaten raw. The boiled root is used as medicine by drinking the watery decoction to relieve backache. Ovambo women tie the stems around their waists like belts to prevent backache when hoeing their lands. The Ovambo also use an infusion of boiled leaves, by cooling it down, and pouring it in a persons ear for relief of earache. The Wayeyi women wean breast-feeding children by using the bitter sap of the roots, and they believe that eating the fruit will enhance their bust size. In the past Ovambo people planted ekoka near their kraals as a good luck charm. Modern day Ovambo people still use it as a good luck charm by laying it out to walk on, or to bless a new shop for example, by throwing branches on the roof. Sap of the roots is smeared on the teeth of unwilling hunting dogs to make them aggressive in order to enhance their hunting capabilities. Wood bundles are tied with the young stems of the star jasmine as rope for easier transport. Children blow the ripe seeds in the air as entertainment.