Bulbous ceropegia
Ceropegia bulbosa

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A woody twiner or climber. The tuber is round. It is 7-8 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. The leaves are oval or narrow. They are 3-6 cm long and slightly heart shaped. They are fleshy. The fruit are dry and 10 cm long by 0.5 cm wide. The seeds are 8-9 mm long.

There are about 150 Ceropegia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows near Mumbai. It grows naturally on well drained rocky soils on slopes. It grows in humid areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, Ethiopia, India, Middle East, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen

How it is used for food

The roots are eaten after boiling in water. Otherwise they are bitter. The tubers and leaves are also eaten raw. The young leaves and stems are eaten stewed in curries. They are slightly sour.

Edible parts

Root, leaves, tubers, stem

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. It can be grown from cuttings.

Tubers 2-3 cm across are ready after 2 years.

Its other names

Local names

Alat-khalah, Dadmudale, Dúdha malida kand, Galot, Galya, Hallike, Hedulo, Kendua, Khapparkadu, Kharpudi, Khartundi, Malode, Palatige, Patala tumbari, Roob, Sap okoni, Suparikanda, Thiyamanda

Synonyms

Ceropegia acuminata Roxb.; Ceropegia bulbosa var. esculenta (Edgew.) Hook. f.; Ceropegia bulbosa var. lushii (Grab.) Hook. f.; Ceropegia edulis Decne; Ceropegia esculenta Edgew.; Ceropegia humilis N. E. Br.; Ceropegia lushii Graham; Ceropegia vignaldiana A. Rich.;