Monkey rope for your jelly
By Someleze Gcuwa
Name: Rhoicissus tomentosa (Lam.) Wild. &
R.B.Drumm.
Family: Vitaceae (Grape family)
Common names:Engl. Common Forest Grape, Monkey-rope, Simple-leaved Grape,
Wild Grape, Wild Vine
Afr. Bobbejaantou,
Bosdruif, Bosdruiwe, Wildedruif, Wildedruiwe
Xho. Chithibhunga
Description
Robust canopy climber or small scrambling tree;
Bark is greyish; young branchlets with thick rusty hairs, becoming hairless
with lenticels; tendrils velvety. Leaves are almost circular to kidney-shaped,
slightly 3-lobed, dark green above, dense with brownish rusty soft hairs below.
Flowers are small in dense axillary heads, yellowish green, densely furry with
rusty hairs when in bud (October-January). Fruit almost spherical, fleshy,
becoming red and finally purplish black (January-April).
Conservation
status
According to the SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute) Red
list of South African Plants, Rhoicissus
tomentosa was not selected in any one of four screening processes for
highlighting potential taxa of conservation concern for detailed assessment and
was hence given an automated status of Least Concern (L.C.). The Threatened
Species Programme is currently systematically completing full assessments for
all taxa with an automated status. http://redlist.sanbi.org
This common forest grape occurs in riverine
fringes, clambering over trees and bushes and almost associated with forest.
Provincial distribution: Eastern Cape , KwaZulu-Natal , Limpopo , Mpumalanga and Western
Cape
Derivation of name and historical aspects
The genus Rhoicissus
is derived from the Greek rhoia,
meaning pomegranate and kissos, ivy.
Perhaps not the most accurate of names: like ivy, it is a climber, but it has
tendrils; and the small fruits, although spherical, do not seem very like that
of pomegranate. The Latin species name tomentosa
means felt-like, with a dense woolly covering, and alludes to the
rust-coloured hairs that cover the young growth, the underside of the leaves,
buds and tendrils.
The name
Chithibhunga derives from ukuchitha,
to destroy, and ukubhunga, to plot or
plan, meaning to overcome malevolent forces aimed at the user.
Ecology
R. tomentosa
fruits are eaten by birds and mammals and leaves are browsed by game. The
fruits are said to be particularly popular with Knysna turaco (Tauraco corythaix) and Purple-crested
turaco (Tauraco porphyreolophus).
Swollen tubers, although toxic, are eaten by bush pigs and porcupines. Silver-striped
Hawkmoth caterpillar (Hippotion celerio)
have been recorded eating the leaves of R.
tomentosa and R. tridentata.
Uses and cultural aspects
The fruits are grape-like in appearance and
edible, according to the naturist Swynnerton, ‘not up to much’. When boiled
with plenty of sugar they are said to make a delicious conserve and an
excellent jelly. Split
Other people used it as a ritual wash and as
an emetic for good luck and protection against the witchcraft and evil spirits.
It is also used as a steam treatment to ensure good fortune. A small piece is
held in the mouth for protection at times of vulnerability such as during court
cases.
Growing Rhoicissus tomentosa
Rhoicissus tomentosa is easy grow and has ornamental
foliage, both in shape and colour, giving interest throughout the year. It is
easy to grow from seed and cuttings taken in spring or summer. Plant rooted
cuttings or sturdy seedlings in a shady spot below shrubs or trees where it can
ramble. It can be used to cover a wall but will need a trellis of some sort so
the tendrils will have something on which to cling. It is also attractive over
a pergola or fence. It can be grown indoors – being a forest dweller it can
adjust to low light. Water regularly until well established and use mulch and
compost to retain moisture and ensure strong, healthy growth.
For further reading look
Coates Palgrave, M. 2002 (third edition). Keith Coates Palgrave Trees of Southern Africa .
Struik Nature, Cape Town
Dold, T., Cocks, M. 2012. Voices
from the Forest , Celebrating Nature and
Culture in Xhosaland. Jacana Media, Sunnyside, Auckland Park , South Africa
Van Wyk, B., van Wyk, P. 2011. Field
Guide to Trees of South
Africa Cape Town
www.khumbulanursery.co.za
www.plantzafrica.com
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