Wine-cup
Triplochiton zambesiacus
Family: Malvaceae
What it is like
A large spreading tree. It grows to 18 m high. The trunk is short. The crown has dense foliage. The bark is light grey and flaking. These whiter patches give a mottled appearance. The leaves are alternate and simple. They have five lobes like fingers on a hand. There are 5-9 lobes. The leaves are almost round. They are 17 cm long by 20 cm wide. The base of the leaf is square or lobed. The leaf stalk is 5-7 cm long. The flowers are white or yellow. They have a deep red centre. They are about 5-7 cm across. The flowers are open only in the morning. The fruit are made up of 4-5 carpels. Each has a stiff wing like a membrane. They look like a moth's wing. The leaves are edible.
Also as Sterculiaceae and Helicteraceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows along river banks and on flood plains. It also grows on termite mounds.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The leaves are cooked and eaten.
It is a minor vegetable locally restricted to the Zambesi valley.
Edible parts
Leaves, vegetable
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by seeds. It can also be grown by stem cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Mukonza, Zambesi wine-cup tree.