Spider tresses
Strophanthus preussii
Family: Apocynaceae
What it is like
A creeper or climbing shrub. It can be a shrub 4 m high or a creeper 12 m long. The stems can be 2.5 cm across.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in deciduous and secondary forest. It needs a temperature above 25°C.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa
How it is used for food
The young leaves are cooked and eaten. Caution: The seeds are poisonous.
Edible parts
Leaves, vegetable, caution
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seeds. Seeds are collected by opening the pod.
In Central African Republic plants flower in March.
Its other names
Local names
Abepopo, Dietwa, Mamfoham