Cyphostemma bainesii Seeds - African Tree Grape - Indigenous Succulent Caudiciform

Cyphostemma bainesii Seeds

Common Names: African Tree Grape, Gouty Vine, Butterwood Tree

Cyphostemma bainesii is deciduous succulent shrubs or small trees that grow up to 1.5 meters high. It has a thick or bottle shaped trunk (caudex) up to 40 cm wide. It is very similar to C. juttae, but shorter and fatter. The bark is papery and smooth, very attractive, clear yellowish-brown to pastel and peeling in rings to reveal grey-green.

The leaves are huge, bright yellowish-green to glaucous green often with red undulated margins covered with fairly dense fuzz. The flowers are in a lose inflorescence on mature plants and are followed by ornamental, orange grapes (don't eat them they are high in tannic acid and not sweet) they may be slightly toxic.

It is naturally found in Central western Namibia and South Africa where it grows on dry rocky outcrops in a well drained soil with some water usually at the base of boulders where it receives a bit of shade from the burning sun.