Wooden rose creeper, Climbing kapok
Ipomoea albivenia
Family: Convolvulaceae
What it is like
A climbing shrub. It grows 10 m long. The stems are slender. The leaf blades are almost round. They are large, velvety and heart shaped. They have white hairs on the veins. The flowers are funnel shaped and white but pale pink or yellow in the throat. They are 8 cm across. They open at night and close at midday. They have a sweet scent. The fruit are woody capsules. The seeds are covered in white threads.
Where it is found
It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows between 40-800 m above sea level. It grows in woodland and savannah. It grows in moist and sandy soils. It needs a temperature above 15°C.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
A famine food.
Edible parts
Tubers, root
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Damba, Imibuzana, Leshulegohlolo, Queia, Ubatata wentaba, Umangfongo, Umgwiligiwili, Ungubasiswana, Uphatata