Cercestis mirabilis

Family: Araceae

What it is like

A stout climber. It has long roots that hang down. There are also roots that clasp trees. It grows 3 m tall. The stem can be 5 cm across. The leaves are alternate and simple. The leaf stalk can be 1 m long. The leaves are a spear head shape and 100 cm long by 60 cm wide. It has deep irregular lobes along it. The flowering spadix is 7-17 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. It has a spathe around it that is green on the outside and paler inside. The flowers are of separate sexes with male flowers on the upper part of the spadix. The fruit is a pyramid shaped berry.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant It grows in the forest. It grows in lowland humid forests up to 400 m above sea level. Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Benin, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Myanmar, Nigeria, SE Asia, Uganda, West Africa

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked in special preparations.

It is a very minor vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaf stalk, leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bou odu, Eko, Kpakpari

Synonyms

Nephthytis picturata N. E. Br.; Rhektophyllum congense De Willd. & T. Durand; Rhektophyllum mirabile N. E. Br.;