Jutta’s botterboom, Butter bush, Tree grape
Cyphostemma juttae

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

A stocky succulent tree. It grows 2-3.6 m high. It often has a barrel like thick trunk. The branches are short and stubby. The young branches can have smooth spines. The bark is creamy and papery. It peels off showing a green colour underneath. The leaves are large and fleshy. Young leaves are simple but with lobes and older leaves are compound. The leaves are alternate. They are 30 cm long and roughly oblong in shape. The central leaflet of the 3 is the largest and the side ones are uneven-sided at the base. The edges are toothed. The flowers are carried in branched heads. They are on long thick stalks armed with prickles. They are at the ends of the main branches. The fruit are grape-like. They are green but become bright red. They are edible. They contain oxalates which burn the throat.

There are about 150 Cyphostemma species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. A desert plant. It is damaged by frost. It needs full sun and dry air. It needs temperatures above 5°C. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. It can grow in arid places. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are sweet and eaten. They burn the throat due to oxalates.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Bastard cobas, Blue kobas

Synonyms

Cissus juttae Dinter & Gilg;