Ceropegia ampliata
E. Mey
Bushman's pipe
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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) pilot_micha, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaCeropegia ampliata is a flowering plant in the dogbane family Apocynaceae, native to eastern and southern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Eswatini, Botswana, and Madagascar. Common names include bushman's pipe, condom plant, and horny wonder.
Description
A vine that keeps growing from year to year. It climbs 1 m high and spreads 1 m wide. The stem is slender and twining. It does not have leaves. The flowers are light green and tube shaped. They are 3 cm long and swollen at the base. It has expanding dark green lobes that unite at the tip.
Edible Uses
The roots and tubers are edible. The tubers of all Ceropegia species are probably edible, and this species is used as a famine food.
Known Hazards
The plant is damaged by drought or frost.
Distribution
It is best in a rich, well-drained soil. It suits a protected sunny position. It is damaged by drought or frost.
Where It Grows
Africa, Australia, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa*, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown by seeds, by cuttings or by dividing the tuber.
Other Information
It is a famine food.
Notes
The tubers of all Ceropegia species are probably edible. Also put in the family Asclepiadaceae.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Boesmanspyp
References (2)
- Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 241
- Long, C., 2005, Swaziland's Flora - siSwati names and Uses http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/
