Ceropegia papillata

N. E. Br.

Apocynaceae Edible: Leaves, Root, Tubers, Vegetable Potential hazards — see below 6 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A climbing plant. It has thin twining stems. It has a fattened rootstock. It grows 1 m high. The leaves are opposite and simple. The leaves are heart shaped and taper to the tip. They are hairy on both sides. The leaf blade is 3-6 cm long by 1-2.5 cm wide. The flowers are white and in groups. There can be 10 flowers in a group. The lower third of the flower tube i swollen.

Edible Uses

Roots - raw or cooked. They are eaten by boys. The tubers contain around 95% water, and are eaten against thirst in dry regions. Leaves - raw. Eaten by boys.

Traditional Uses

The leaves and roots are eaten raw.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

This is a rare species and should not be harvested from the wild; it should be cultivated instead.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in mountainous areas between 1,350-2,000 m altitude in East Africa. It is often in rocky places. It needs well-drained soils and sun.

Where It Grows

Africa, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Propagation

Seed - Cuttings

Other Information

They are eaten by boys.

Notes

There are about 160-200 Ceropegia species. Also put in the family Asclepiadaceae. It is a rare species and should not be harvested from the wild, but instead cultivated.

Synonyms

Ceropegia cordiloba Werderm.

Also Known As

Chang'ombr, Fwafwalingo, Liundumula

References (6)

Grubben, G. J. H. and Denton, O. A. (eds), 2004, Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. p 178
Jansen, P.C.M., 2004. Ceropegia papillata N.E.Br. [Internet] Record from Protabase. Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa), Wageningen, Netherlands. < http://database.prota.org/search.htm>. Accessed 14 October 2009.
Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 65
Martin, F.W. & Ruberte, R.M., 1979, Edible Leaves of the Tropics. Antillian College Press, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. p 177
Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 62

Show all 6 references