African heartvine
Pentarrhinum abyssinicum
Family: Apocynaceae
What it is like
A climbing herb. It produces strongly branched stems each year. These grow 2-2.5 m long from the roots. The stems lie along the ground and are twining.
There are now considered to be only 2 Pentarrhinum species. Also put in the family Asclepiadaceae. It is used in medicine.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in open woodland and on the edges of forests. It grows between 1,000-2,000 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo DR, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
It is commonly used as a food.
Edible parts
Leaves, fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Umdzandzabuka