Cyphostemma currorii

Cobas Tree
Cyphostemma currorii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Vitales
Family:	Vitaceae
Genus:	Cyphostemma
Species:	C. currorii
Binomial name
Cyphostemma currorii (Hook. f.) Desc.

Cyphostemma currorii is a succulent tree belonging to the family Vitaceae and reaching a height of 6 meters or more. This plant is also known as cobas tree and butter tree. Cyphostemma currorii is found in hot, arid rocky places, and has been seen from southern Angola to Namibia and is common on the Brandberg.

This species was named after Andrew B. Curror, a Royal Navy surgeon, from the vessel HMS Waterwitch, who first collected specimens of the tree at Elephant's Bay in Angola in the 1840s - the genus Curroria Planch. is also after him. The foliage and fruit of this genus are rich in oxalic acid, so that the leaves are shunned by browsers, though the fruit is relished by baboons and monkeys.

Cyphostemma currorii at the Botanischer Garten München-Nymphenburg.

Sources

• Damaraland Flora - Christine Marais, Patricia Craven (Gamsberg McMillan 1992) ISBN 1-86848-784-9
• Caudiciforms

See also

• List of Southern African indigenous trees