Kobas, Cobas
Cyphostemma currorii

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

A succulent tree. It has a thick swollen trunk. It grows to 8 m high. It can be 2 m across at the base. It can be divided into a number of stems. The bark peels in papery strips. It loses its leaves in winter. The crown is round. The leaves are compound and fleshy. They are made up of 3 large leaflets. These can be 30 cm long by 18 cm across. The middle leaflets has a short stalk and the other two are stalkless. They are oval and bluntly pointed with a broad unequal base. The edges of the leaves have teeth. Leaflets are often folded together. The leaves are on long thick leaf stalks. The flowers are yellow-green and small. They have 4 petals. They occur in flat spreading heads. The flower group are on long stalks at the ends of branches. The fruit is grape-like. They are juicy and red. They contain oxalic acid which burns the throat.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in dry stony areas and on rocky hillsides. It is in hot arid places. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Australia, Central Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. They contain oxalic acid which burns the throat.

Edible parts

Fruit, caution, stems - water

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Vitis currorii Hook.f.; Cissus crameriana Schinz.; Cyphostemma crameriana (Schinz) Descoings;