Cocculus pendulus

Family: Menispermaceae

What it is like

A climbing plant or shrub that lies along the ground. It can climb 15 m high. The stem can be 15 cm across at the base. The bark is dark grey and striped. The leaves are simple and arranged in spirals. The leaf blade is 2-5 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The flowers are small and of separate sexes. They are pale yellow. The fruit is made up of 3 flattened fleshy fruit with stones containing seeds. Each section is 4-7 mm long by 4-5 mm wide. They are dark red.

There are about 8-11 Cocculus species. The leaves contain several alkaloids and are used in medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in desert regions. It can be in shade. It grows in the drier regions of West Africa. It grows between 350-1,500 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Algeria, Angola, Arabia, Asia, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Chad, East Africa, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Israel, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Pakistan, Qatar, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Socotra, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, UAE, West Africa, Yemen

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable. The juice of the plant has been used to produce a fermented drink. The flowers are eaten as a vegetable. The ripe fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Alenda, Dusaratige, Illarbillar, Marmar, Parwatti, Peelwan, Ullarbillar

Synonyms

Cebatha pendula (J. R. & G. Forst.) O. Ktze; Cocculus cebatha DC.; Cocculus leaeba (Delile) DC; Epibatrium pendulum J. R. & G. Forst.; Menispermum leaeba Delile; and others