Cayratia carnosa

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

A climber. It has branched tendrils. The stems are fleshy. They become flattened with age. The leaves are fleshy and have about 3 leaflets. The leaf stalk is 2-10 cm long. The leaflets vary in shape. They can be 4-15 cm long. There are teeth or lobes along the edge. The flowers are greenish. They are 3 mm across. They are on branched stalks. The fruit is round and 8-20 mm long. They are black and have 2-4 seeds.

There are about 45 Cayratia species. They are mainly in tropical areas.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is often in dry deciduous forests.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Himalayas, India, Northeastern India, Sikkim

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten. They are pleasantly acid. The leaves and stems are eaten. They are boiled and eaten alone or with fish.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Amal-bel, Amal-lata, Amalbel, Amarbel, Amarlata, Ambat vel, Ambatbel, Aranyavasini, Atyamlaparni, Bundal, Cidar-druk, Dukar vel, Ghepeta-lot, Heggoli, Kamputige, Khat-Khatumbo, Khat, Khatumdu, Kurundinne, Odi, Ramchana, Sorivalli, Tamnya, Tumans

Synonyms

Vitis trifolia L.; Vitis carnosa Wall.;