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Cissus integrifolia

(Bak.) Planch.

Depa-vine

Vitaceae Edible: Fruit, Leaves, Stem - sap 25 iNaturalist observations

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iNaturalist· cc0

no rights reserved

iNaturalist· cc0

no rights reserved

Description

A shrub or vine up to 9 m tall. It has gum like sap. It has tendrils opposite the leaves. The leaves are round or slightly long. They are about 5 cm long. They have a long drawn out tip. The flowers are yellow. The fruits are oval and 20 mm long. They are red and covered with a bloom.

Edible Uses

The leaves are used as a relish and as a famine food. The fruit are eaten. The clear stem sap is drunk.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are used as a relish and as a famine food. The fruit are eaten. The stems have a clear sap which is drunk.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows amongst vegetation near rivers. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 1,100 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Africa, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Notes

There are about 200-350 Cissus species. There are about 75 species in tropical America.

Synonyms

Vitis integrifolia Baker

Also Known As

Chikomba, Chitafu, Dovoza, Lendja, Mkomberonda, Mpelesya, Murrupa, Mwanya, Redza, Renja, Renza, Timanziluane

References (12)

  • Aparicio, H., et al, 2021, Ethnobotanical study of medicinal and edible plants used in Nhamacoa area, Manica provinceMozambique. South African Journal of Botany 139 (2021) 318-328
  • Bruschi, P., et al, 2014, Traditional use of plants in a rural community of Mozambique and possible links with Miombo degradation and harvesting sustainability. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 2014, 10:59
  • CROSS-UPCOTT,
  • FAO, 1988, Traditional Food Plants, FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 42. FAO Rome p 182
  • Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 63
Show all 12 references
  • Grivetti, L. E., 1980, Agricultural development: present and potential role of edible wild plants. Part 2: Sub-Saharan Africa, Report to the Department of State Agency for International Development. p 70
  • Mpasiwakomu, R. A., 2017, The Diversity and Utilization of Wild Edible and Medicinal Plant Species found in Uvinza Miombo Woodlands, Tanzania. M. Sc. thesis University of Tanzania.
  • Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 201
  • Scudder, 1971,
  • Tredgold, M.H., 1986, Food Plants of Zimbabwe. Mambo Press. p 3
  • Wild, 1975,
  • www.zimbabweflora.co.zw 2011

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