Common Name:

General Information

Fockea edulis is a perennial, succulent, climbing perennial with shoots up to 4 metres long that twine around other plants for support[, ].
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

,

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[].
Succeeds in full sun or light shade in a well-drained soil[]. Requires ample moisture in the growing season[].
The plant tends to grow faster if the swollen base of the stem (the caudex) is buried just under the soil surface[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Root[]. A milky, somewhat sweetish flavour[]. The large tubers have been used to make a 'konfyt' (a type of jam[]) as an alternative to watermelon[]. The tubers can be up to 60cm in diameter.

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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