Tylophora sylvatica

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A slender twiner or creeper. The leaves are spreading. The leaf blade is 1-15 cm long and 2.5-8 cm wide. The flowers are in groups 12-15 cm long. The flowers are small and brownish-purple. The fruit are follicles 6-9 cm long. They are sword shaped and smooth. There are 4 seeds about 1 cm long.

There are about 50 Tylophora species. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in thickets and secondary jungle.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Mozambique, Senegal, Sierra Leone, West Africa, Zambia

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Tylophora bojeriana Decne; Vincetoxicum sylvaticum (Decne) Kuntze;