Cissus trothae

Gilg & Brandt

Vitaceae Edible: Fruit

gbif· cc-by

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

gbif· cc-by

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

gbif· cc-by-nc-sa

MBG

Description

A small erect shrub. It grows each year from a rootstock. It flowers before the adult leaves are produced. The plant is densely covered with a red coating. The stem is cylinder shaped. It usually does not have tendrils. The leaves are simple. The leaf blade is 23 cm long by 22 cm wide and almost round. The base is heart shaped. The flowering stalks are opposite the leaves. The flower petals are purple. The fruit are 9 mm long by 6 mm wide.

Edible Uses

The fruit is eaten.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows on rocky slopes and on the edges of swamps.

Where It Grows

Africa, East Africa, Malawi, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Synonyms

Ampelocissus cinnamochroa sensu Brenan

References (4)

Flora Zambesiaca. http://apps.kew.org/efloras
Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 85
Newman, 1970,
Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 201