Cynanchum somaliense

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 40 cm tall. It can be twining and to 4 m long. The leaf stalks are 1.5-5.5 cm long. The leaves are 3-8 cm long by 1.5-5 cm wide. The fruit are follicles 5-6 cm long by 1 cm wide.

Also put in the family Asclepiadaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 300-1,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan

How it is used for food

The immature wing of the fruit is eaten raw.

It is eaten mostly by children.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Guriso

Synonyms

Cynanchum dentatum K. Schum.; Cynanchum trifurcatum Schltr.; Pentarrhinum somaliense (N. E. Br.) Liede; Schizostephanus somaliensis N. E. Br.;