Wood rose
Merremia tuberosa

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

A creeper or woody vine. It can be climbing and twining. It grows 10-15 m long. It has milky sap. The stems are thick and cylinder shaped. The leaves are alternate and the blades are simple. They are 7-12 cm long by 6-11 cm long. They have 7 lobes arranged like fingers on a hand. The flower is yellow. The fruit are oval capsules. They are 1.5-2.5 cm long. There are 4 seeds in each fruit.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In NE Queensland it grows from sea level to 300 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Brazil, Central Africa, Congo DR, Dominican Republic, Hawaii, India, Mascarenes, Myanmar, Pacific, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America, Sri Lanka, West Indies

How it is used for food

The seeds are dried and then roasted and ground to make a coffee like drink.

Edible parts

Tuber, seeds - coffee

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Flor de palo, Spanish arbour-vine

Synonyms

Batatas tuberosa (L.) Bojer; Convolvulus gossypiifolius Kunth; Ipomoea tuberosa L.; Operculina tuberosa (L.) Meisn.; and others