Simple-leaved grape, Cape grape
Rhoicissus tomentosa

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

A woody climber. It can climb 20 m to the tops of trees. It can also be a small bush 3-7 m tall. The bark is grey. The young branches are covered with thick rusty hairs. The leaves are simple and large. They are almost round. They can be 20 cm long by 16 cm wide. The veins are easy to see. 3 veins extend from the base. The upper surface is dark green and the underneath has rusty hairs. The base is deeply lobed. The edges of the leaf are wavy and often with shallow teeth. The fruit is almost round and 2 cm across. It is fleshy. They are red and become purplish-black when mature. They look like grapes. The fruit are edible.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows along the banks of rivers climbing over forest trees. It can grow in arid places. in Zimbabwe it grows between 780-1,900 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, St Helena, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit can be eaten raw. They can be used for jams or jellies.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

They can be grown from seeds and probably cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Common forest grape, Dyathoho, Idiliya, Isanqodi, Isinwati, Moaparo, Mudzambiringa, Mufukamhunze, Mufukazviyo, Mugodzonga, Mukwidzi, Musikavakadzi, Umbovu

Synonyms

Rhoicissus capensis Planchon; Vitis capensis Thunb.; Cissus tomentosa Lam.;