Rhoicissus capensis

(Brum.) Planch

Cape grape, Evergreen grape

Vitaceae Edible: Fruit, Leaves 1,689 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Description

A climber. It climbs by tendrils. It can be 10-17 m long. The young leaves are bronze coloured. They turn bright shiny green. They are round or kidney shaped with a rusty tinge underneath. They are 10-20 cm long. The flowers are small and yellow and produced in clusters. The fruit are berries which are glossy and reddish-black to blue-black. They are 2 cm across. The berries are edible.

Edible Uses

The berries are edible and can be used to make jellies, preserves, and syrups. The young leaves and shoots can also be eaten.

Traditional Uses

Fruit can be used in making jellies, preserves and syrups. The young leaves and shoots can be eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

They need fertile soil which is well drained. They do best in part shade. They need protection from the heat of direct sun. The soil need to be kept evenly moist. Plants should be mulched around the base.

Where It Grows

Africa, Australia, South Africa, Southern Africa,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from tubers. The clump of tubers can be divided.

Notes

There are about 10 Rhoicissus species.

Synonyms

Cissus capensisVitis capensis Burm.

References (8)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 881
Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 882
Crandall, C & Crandall, B., 1996, Flowering Fruiting and Foliage vines. Sterling. p 93
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 245
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 682 (As Vitis capensis)

Show all 8 references