Ceropegia distincta

N. E. Br.

Apocynaceae Edible: Tuber, Root 8 iNaturalist observations

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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Description

It is a vine that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1.5 m high and spreads 1.5 m wide. The plant contains milky sap. The stem is stout and twining. The leaves are fleshy and in pairs. They are oval and bright green. The flowers develop with or before the new leaves. The flowers are white with purple spots. They are tube shaped. The tubes curve and the lobes expand into a funnel shape. They unite at the tip. The fruit is a double curved pod. The seeds have white silky hairs.

Edible Uses

The tuber is washed, scraped clean, and eaten raw or cooked, either boiled or roasted.

Traditional Uses

The tuber is washed, scraped clean and eaten raw or cooked. It can be boiled or roasted.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It is best in a humus-rich soil. It needs a protected, sunny position. It is damaged by frost or drought.

Where It Grows

Africa, Australia, East Africa, South Africa*, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown by seed, cuttings or division of the tubers.

Notes

There are about 160-200 Ceropegia species. Probably now in Apocynaceae

Synonyms

Ceropegia brevirostris P. R. O. Bally & D. V. FieldCeropegia cyrtoidea Werderm.

Also Known As

Muroodza

References (6)

Andersohn, G., 1983, Cacti and Succulents. EP Publishing. p 259
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 242
Ruiters-Welcome, A. K., 2019, Food plants of southern Africa. Ph.D. thesis. Univ. of Johannesburg p 23
Tredgold, M.H., 1986, Food Plants of Zimbabwe. Mambo Press. p 2
Welcome, A. K. & Van Wyk, B.-E., 2019, An inventory and analysis of the food plants of southern Africa. South African Journal of Botany 122 (2019) 136–179

Show all 6 references