Leg-ripper, Thorny rope
Smilax anceps

Family: Smilacaceae

What it is like

A tall climber. The stems have many small hooks. The leaves occur singly and are alternate. They are broadly oval and 8 cm long by 6 cm wide. There are a pair of unbranched tendrils. The male and female flowers are on separate plants. The flowering groups are in the axils of the leaves. The flowers form a dense round cluster. The fruit is round and fleshy. It is 1 cm across.

There are about 300 Smilax species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in savannah and forests in West Africa. It is often along the edges of rivers.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa (country/location of origin), Angola, Asia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo DR, East Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Reunion, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa, Suriname, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The tubers are cooked and eaten as a starchy staple. They are cut into small pieces, soaked in water for 3 days then dried and crushed.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, rhizome, tuberous root - flavouring, fruit, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Bum-hawet, Canar afrika, Diia, Ekoungou, Inchachabulane, Litchoubo, Luagalatilo, Mpolo, Mukobololo, N'arara, Nicaru, Ngila ngila, Nzila nzila, P'titinane, Sarsaparila afrika, Sumbus, Um-arara, West African sarsparilla

Synonyms

Smilax kraussiana Meisn.