Fockea edulis
(Thunb.) K.Schum.
Apocynaceae
Chymocormus edulis (Thunb.) Harv.
Fockea cylindrica R.A.Dyer
Fockea glabra Decne.
Pergularia edulis Thunb.
Common Name:
Young leaves
Photograph by: Frank Vincentz
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Young leaves
Photograph by: Frank Vincentz
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Greenhouse-grown plant in a pot
Photograph by: Amada44
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
Leaves and stem
Photograph by: Frank Vincentz
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Growing plant
Photograph by: Petar43
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Seeds
Photograph by: Not known
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5
General Information
Fockea edulis is a perennial, succulent, climbing perennial with shoots up to 4 metres long that twine around other plants for support[
385- Title
- Bihrmann's Caudiciforms
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.bihrmann.com/caudiciforms/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An internet site giving information on caudiciform plants (plants with swollen stem bases such as the Baobab tree, cycads and many succulents). Excellent photos, usually of cultivated plants in pots.
,
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
].
The edible root is sometimes gathered from the wild for local use. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its swollen stem base.
Known Hazards
A latex in the plant is poisonous.
Botanical References
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
394- Title
- Flora Capensis
- Publication
-
- Author
- Hiern. W.P.; Brown N.E.
- Website
- http://www.aluka.org/action/doBrowse?sa=1&st=662543&execbr=&sls=
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1909
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Rather dated, and many of the botanical names have been changed since it was written, but contains a wealth of information about plants of southern Africa. It can be downloaded or viewed online.
Range
Africa - S. Africa.
Habitat
Not known
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial Climber |
| Height | 3.00 m |
| Pollinators | Flies |
| Self-fertile | No |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
A plant mainly of the dry subtropics, just entering into the tropics in northern S. Africa. Plants cannot tolerate more than occasional light frosts with temperatures dropping as low as -2°c[
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
].
Succeeds in full sun or light shade in a well-drained soil[
385- Title
- Bihrmann's Caudiciforms
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.bihrmann.com/caudiciforms/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An internet site giving information on caudiciform plants (plants with swollen stem bases such as the Baobab tree, cycads and many succulents). Excellent photos, usually of cultivated plants in pots.
]. Requires ample moisture in the growing season[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
The plant tends to grow faster if the swollen base of the stem (the caudex) is buried just under the soil surface[
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.
Edible Uses
Root[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. A milky, somewhat sweetish flavour[
394- Title
- Flora Capensis
- Publication
-
- Author
- Hiern. W.P.; Brown N.E.
- Website
- http://www.aluka.org/action/doBrowse?sa=1&st=662543&execbr=&sls=
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1909
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Rather dated, and many of the botanical names have been changed since it was written, but contains a wealth of information about plants of southern Africa. It can be downloaded or viewed online.
]. The large tubers have been used to make a 'konfyt' (a type of jam[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]) as an alternative to watermelon[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. The tubers can be up to 60cm in diameter.
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
