Rope-wood grape, Glossy forest grape
Rhoicissus rhomboidea

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

A vigorous climber. It can sometimes be a small tree which grows 3-6 m high. The stem if much branched. It climbs by means of thick rough tendrils. All young parts are covered with rusty hairs. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The side leaflets are unequal at the sides. The leaves are leathery and glossy and dark green above. Underneath there are often rusty hairs. The edges of the leaves have about 6 large teeth like structures tipped with a sharp point. The leaf stalk is 2.3 cm long. The flowers are small and greenish-yellow. They occur in lax heads in the axils of leaves. They are on stalks about 10 mm long. This stalk has long red hairs. The fruit is like a grape. It is almost round and 10 mm across. They occur in clusters and become dark wine-red. They are edible

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs at the edges of evergreen forest. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten as dessert fruit. They are also used for jam.

The grapes are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bastard forest grape, Isinwati, Mudzambiringa, Mufukamhunze, Mufukazviyo, Mugodzonga, Mukwidzi, Musikavakadzi, Rombolistna vita

Synonyms

Cissus rhomboidea E. Meyer;