Wild grape, Curare
Chondrodendron tomentosum
Family: Menispermaceae
What it is like
A large creeper. It can grow 30 m high and spread widely. The trunk is hairy. It can be 10 cm across. The leaves are oval or rounded. They can be heart shaped. They are alternate. They are 20 cm long. The leaves underneath and the leaf stalks are woolly. The flowers are separately male and female on separate plants. They are small and green-white. The fruit are fleshy and oval. They are 1-2 mm long.
The stems and roots are used in medicine.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It needs a temperature above 15-18°C. It grows in the top of the rainforest. It needs a moist, rich soils. It needs a sunny location. It is damaged by drought and frost.
Countries/locations it is found in
Amazon, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, South America, West Indies
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten and have a bitter sweet taste. Caution: The roots are used for poisons. They contain curare that paralyses muscles. The poison has to get into the blood stream to work.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown by seeds or cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Anpi anku, Antinupa, Cuyovi o'fa, Grieswurzel, Ice vine, Machap, Ourari, Pariera brava, Pava waska, Soga de la pava, Tsima, Urari, Uva, Velvet leaf, Veneno de pavas, Worali