Kedrostis hirtella

Family: Cucurbitaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is a pumpkin family plant. It lies along the ground or is a climber. It is 2 m long. It forms a tuber at the base. It can re-grow from this. The tuber is long. The leaves are dark green and alternate. They have 3 lobes arranged like fingers. The fruit are bright red and like cucumbers. They are 4-8 cm long. They taper to the end. There are white dots on the surface. The split along their length when ripe. This is probably now a synonym of Kedrostis leloji.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It needs well-drained soil. It can grow in stony or sandy soils. It grows between 70-1,525 m above sea level. It is rare in Swaziland. In Namibia it grows in the shade. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They are bitter. The tuber is baked in hot ashes.

The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, tuber, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Abuth agook, Abuth diet, Haulani, Kuruerue, Malual gook, Mungu-wakuleza

Synonyms

Kedrostis natalensis (Hook. f.) A. Meeuse;