Rhoicissus capensis
(Brum.) Planch
Cape grape, Evergreen grape
(c) Errol Douwes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Errol Douwes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Errol Douwes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit, Leaves
The berries are edible and can be used to make jellies, preserves, and syrups. The young leaves and shoots can also be eaten.
Where to Find It
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.
Africa, Australia, South Africa, Southern Africa,
How to Identify
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.
How to Grow
Plants are grown from tubers. The clump of tubers can be divided.
Notes
There are about 10 Rhoicissus species.
Names & Synonyms
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)
- Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 158
- Tanaka,
- Uphof,
