Common Name:

General Information

Adenia globosa is a deciduous shrub, often adopting a climbing habit, with stems up to 8 metres long, growing from a swollen, warty globular trunk that can be up to 2.5 metres in diameter. The stems can be erect, or scramble over the ground, climbing into the surrounding vegetation and attaching itself by means of tendrils. The stems are armed with thorns up to 8cm long[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. It is grown for ornamental purposes in South Africa and in greenhouses in the temperate regions[].

Known Hazards

The aerial parts of Adenia globosa contain the cyanogenic glycosides deidaclin and its stereoisomer tetraphyllin A[].
Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the sap of most members of this genus is poisonous[].

Botanical References

Range

East tropical Africa - Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania.

Habitat

Scrub savannah at elevations from 100 - 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Climber
Height	6.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of drier areas in the tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 1,800 metres. The plant can be damaged if temperatures fall below 7°c and does not grow well below 15°c[].
Succeeds in full sun and light shade[, ]. Requires a well-drained soil[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A cold water extract of the stem is drunk to treat abdominal pain. An extract is used as a bath to treat itches[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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