Marsdenia angolensis

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A herb or woody climber. It can be 3-4 m tall. The leaf stalks are 2-6 cm long. They are hairy. The leaves are 5-12 cm long by 3-7 cm wide. The flowers are near the axils of leaves. They are cream or yellowish-green. The fruit are follicles 8-12 cm long by 0.5 cm wide. The seeds are 7 mm long by 2 mm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 700-1,900 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinée, Rwanda, West Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fleshy root is eaten raw by children.

Edible parts

Root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Gongronema angolense (N. E. Br.) Bullock;