Droog-my-keel grape, Bitter grape, Bushman's grape
Rhoicissus tridentata

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

It is a small neat tree. It grows to 3.6 m high. It can be a climber. It has a very extensive root system with a thickened rootstock or swellings along it. It may have many stems. The young branches are covered with rust-coloured hairs. It has tendrils. The leaves vary greatly in size and shape. They have 3 rigid leaflets. Leaves can be 10 cm long and 7 cm wide. The central leaflet is often triangular. The side leaflets are unequal-sided. Leaflets are glossy green above and paler underneath. The flowers are small and greenish. They occur in clusters opposite the leaves. The fruit is 1.3 cm across. They are smooth and round. They are black when mature. There are 1-2 seeds inside. The fruit is edible.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In South Africa it grows from sea level to 1200 m altitude. In some places it can grow to 2,700 m above sea level. It will grow in a range of conditions. It is often at the edge of evergreen forest in high rainfall areas. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 380-1,500 mm. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Arabia, Botswana, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Middle East, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten. It is very sour. The large thickened rootstock is edible. It is used for drinks and put into soups. Caution: The tubers are also claimed to be toxic.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, roots, tubers, caution

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Baboon grape, Boesmansdruif, Chizizo, Imbozisa, Isinwazi, Kasalasya, Mnamaftsela, Morara, Mpelesya, Mpesya, Mpete, Mpeza, Mutumbulambudzana, N-kilenya, Olkilenyai, Qashro, Sinwati, Thithiu, Uemba, Umguco, Wedel-asfess, Ziangayango

Synonyms

Rhus tridentata L.f.; Cissus cuneifolia Eckl. & Zeyh.; Rhoicissus cirrhiflora sensu Gilg. & Brandt; Rhoicissus cuneifolia (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Planch.; Rhoicissus erythrodes (Fres.) Planch.; Rhoicissus holstii Engl.; Rhoicissus usambarensis Gilg; Rhoicissus tridenatata L. f.; Vitis erythrodes Fresen.;