Cyphostemma rhodesiae

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

An erect herb. It grows 1.3 m tall. The stems are rather stout. There is a brown rusty covering. It does not have tendrils. The leaves are divided into 3-5 leaflets like fingers. The leaflets are 25 cm long by 14 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. There are teeth along the edge. The groups of flowers are in the upper axils of leaves or at the top of the plant. The fruit are purple-black. They are 1.2 cm long by 0.8 cm wide. There is 1 seed 0.8 cm long by 0.7 cm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in woodland.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit can be eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Gano, Gwai, Idangaje, Mwana-warnfepo, Zindakubaya

Synonyms

Cissus rhodesiae Gilg. & Brandt; Cissus zombensis sensu Bak.f.;