Namwalicheche, Ndemikangono
Cyphostemma buchananii

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

A climbing herb or shrub. It grows about 1 m tall. The leaves have 5 lobes like fingers on a hand. The leaves are white underneath with brown veins. The leaflet blades are 11 cm long by 7 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. There are rounded teeth along the edge. The flowers have reddish petals. The fruit are red and oval. They are hairy. The seed is about 7 mm long by 5 mm wide.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on the edges of forests and in woodland. It grows in dry soil. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten. The roots are chewed especially by children. The young stems are chewed.

Edible parts

Fruit, roots, stems

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Idangaje, Kululumbe, Mbuluwi, Mushoramombe, Namwalicece, Nkululumbi, Puepuete, Tongo tongo

Synonyms

Cissus buchananii Planch.; Cyphostemma buchananii Desc.; Cissus fragariifolia Bojer; Cissus koehneana F. Hoffm.; Cissus stuhlmannii Gilg.;