Muroodza
Ceropegia lugardae

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A climbing succulent herb. It has underground stem or rhizome. It can grow 10 m high. The leaves are heart shaped. They are opposite. They are 3 cm long by 2 cm wide. It has fleshy roots 40 cm long. There are 3-6 flowers at the nodes. The fruit is a double pod curved like a pair of horns.

Also put in the family Asclepiadaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 900-1,300 m above sea level. It grows in forest or woodland. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Namibia, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The tuber is washed, scraped and eaten raw or boiled or roasted as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Tubers, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Ceropegia apiculata Schltr.; Ceropegia cyrtoidea Werderm.; Ceropegia distincta subsp. lugardae (N. E. Br.) H. Huber; Ceropegia verruculosa (Dyer) D. V. Field;