This species is closely related to Gnetum africanum[, ].

Common Name:

General Information

Gnetum buchholzianum is an evergreen climbing shrub, producing woody twining stems 10 metres or more long from a tuberous rootstock[].
The leaves form a very popular and highly valued vegetable in many parts of Africa - they are widely harvested from the wild and commonly sold in local markets, where they are often a major item of trade[]. Somewhat thicker and darker green than the leaves of the related G. Africanum, they fetch a higher price on the market than that species[]. The leaves are also exported to ethnic markets in various countries around the world. Current harvesting practices are unsustainable, and so research is being carried out into cultivating the plant commercially. Early trials are promising, with the plant proving relatively easy to propagate.
As a result of overharvesting and increasing demands a decline of the population has been noticed. The increased harvesting of this species, if unchecked and unmanaged, could lead to a drastic reduction in population size, which would then meet the thresholds for a threatened category. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western tropical Africa - Nigeria to the Central African Republic, south to the Congo.

Habitat

The understorey layer of humid tropical rainforests[]. Thrives in a wide range of habitats, including farm fallows or abandoned farmland, secondary forests, and closed forest[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	10.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of humid, lowland tropical rainforests, being found at elevations from sea level to 1,200 metres[]. It grows best in areas where the annual rainfall is around 3,000 mm[].
Succeeds in dappled shade in the woodland. Plants growing in full sun produce thinner leaves which are not so well liked by consumers[]. Cultivated plants need to be given some support, such as a tree, to grow into[].
The plant forms two distinct types of stem. Growing up from the base, the stems produce only small, scale-like leaves, and they grow rapidly towards the light. Higher up, side shoots are formed with fully-developed leaves[].
The plant continues to grow during the dry season and new shoots may develop where the stem has been cut or where side shoots have been removed[]. New shoots are also formed from rhizomes that spread along the forest floor[].
Current methods of harvest from wild stands are very destructive[]. Controlled harvesting, in which only side shoots or parts of stems are collected, allows new shoots to develop where a stem has been cut or where side shoots have been removed[]. Preliminary observations indicate that 3 - 4 harvests per year are possible, still allowing for substantial regrowth. More frequent harvesting will result in thin leaves that are considered inferior[].
The first harvest may take place 6 - 9 months after planting. The total lifespan of the plant is estimated at over 10 years[].
Preliminary observation indicates that in cultivation during the first harvest year the fresh leaf yield may reach 20 t/ha. This may double in subsequent years[].
Under wild conditions, the plant grows and forms underground tubers or roots that store plant food reserves. These can remain alive for many years when the vegetation and the plant growth above ground are cleared and the soil surface is laid bare[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[]. Wherever it occurs in Africa, the leaf is valued as a tasty vegetable, usually eaten finely shredded for addition to soup or made up into condiments, or even taken raw[]. To soften this rather tough vegetable, people often mix it with waterleaf (Talinum triangulare)[]. Shredded leaves can be dried and preserved for later use[]. The leaves have a very high nutritional value and constitute an important source of protein, essential amino acids and mineral elements[].
Leafy stems remain fresh for at least a week after harvesting[].
The dry matter content of the fresh leaves is much higher than for other dark or medium green leaf vegetables. This gives a feeling of firmness during preparation, hence certain consumers consider the leaves as a substitute for meat[]. The leaves of this species are somewhat thicker and darker green than those of the related Gnetum africanum[].

Fruit pulp[].

Seed[]. The mature seed is 15 - 15mm long, enclosed in a somewhat drupaceous orange-tinted envelope.

The tubers are sometimes eaten - especially at times of scarcity[].

Climbing members of this genus growing in Asia yield a potable sap[]. This species should also be looked at in this respect[].

Medicinal

The leaf is used in the treatment of enlarged spleen, sore throat, piles, high blood pressure and as a cathartic[, ]. It is eaten as a treatment against nausea and is considered antidotal against arrow-poison based on Parquetina nigrescens[, ]. The leaves are chewed to mitigate the effects of drunkenness and they are taken as an enema against constipation[].
Applied externally, the chopped-up leaf serves as a dressing on warts and boils to hasten maturation[, ].

The stem is cut up into small pieces and infused to produce a tisane that is taken to ease childbirth and reduce the pain[].

Other Uses

The stem is supple and strong. It is used as a rope[], made into traps and nooses for catching game, and into straps for porterage[].

Propagation

Seed - difficult to germinate in nursery conditions, though the plants self-sow successfully in the wild[].
Cuttings.

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