Ceropegia, Anareata
Ceropegia cumingiana

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

An evergreen vine. It grows to 1.5 m high, and spreads to 1 m across. The stem is slender and climbing. It loses its leaves during the year. The stems arise from a thickened tuberous rootstocks. The leaves are oval and they taper to a point. They are 6-10 cm long. The flowers are white and like tubes. They have brown expanded lobes united at the tip. The fruit are pointed linear follicles. The fruit are 10 cm long.

There are about 160-200 Ceropegia species. Probably now in Apocynaceae

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It does best in humus rich, moist, well drained soil. It suits a sheltered, warm, sunny position. It is drought and frost tender. Near Townsville in Australia it grows from sea level to 700 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, East Africa, Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The root is recorded as being eaten. It is probably used when other foods are scarce.

It is not known if it is eaten in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Root

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings, or by dividing the tubers.

Its other names

Local names

Anareata

Synonyms

Ceropegia papuana Schltr.; Ceropegia horsfieldiana Miquel Ceropegia curviflora Hasskarl; Ceropegia merrillii Schlechter;