Cynanchum schistoglossum

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A climber. It grows 3 m tall. The stems are thin and twining. It has a woody rhizome. The leaves are opposite and simple. The leaf stalk is 1-3 cm long. The blade is broadly sword shaped and 4-6 cm long by 204 cm wide. The base is heart shaped and it tapers to the tip. The leaves are long and have a thin texture. The flowers are in groups of 5-20. The fruit are made up of 4 brown follicles.

There are about 150 Cynanchum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on the edges of forests and in grassland often near water. It grows from sea level up to 1,800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The leaf blades are picked off and cooked and eaten. The leaves are also eaten raw.

They are well liked.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Mpuludwa, Mpululudwa, Mpululwa, Mpululuzi

Synonyms

Cynanchum brevidens N. E. Br.; Cynanchum vagum N. E. Br.; Cynanchum dewevrei De Wild. & T. Durand;