Kedrostis africana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Kedrostis
Species:
K. africana
Binomial name
Kedrostis africana
(L.) Cogn.
Synonyms
  • Bryonia africana L.
  • Coniandra africana (L.) Sond.
  • Rhynchocarpa africana Asch. in Schweinf.
Kedrostis africana
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy934.58 kJ (223.37 kcal)
46.36 g
Dietary fibre25.52 g
1.12 g
6.95 g
MineralsQuantity
%DV
Calcium
251%
2505 mg
Copper
5%
0.1 mg
Iron
692%
89.9 mg
Magnesium
137%
485 mg
Manganese
148%
3.1 mg
Phosphorus
34%
240 mg
Potassium
47%
2225 mg
Sodium
29%
430 mg
Zinc
51%
4.8 mg

This data is derived from a nutritional evaluation.[1]
Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.

Kedrostis africana (or baboon's cucumber) is a species of flowering plant in the family Cucurbitaceae. It is native to Namibia and South Africa.[2][3] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit as an ornamental.[4]

Description

It is a succulent monoecious plant. It has a large underground tuber, called a caudex which can span to lengths of up to 50 cm. This caudex is a store of water, which makes it resistant to droughts.[2][5]

It is also climber with vines can grow between 1 – 6m in length. Its lobed leaves are between 6 – 10 cm long.[2]

Baboon's cucumbers form short racemes consisting of 1–12 male flowers. Their petals are light cream to green-yellow coloured. Female flowers are not grouped like male flowers and are also light cream to green-yellow. They bloom during the summer.[2][6]

They also bear orange fruit, with a diameter between 8 – 15mm.[2]

Cultivation

This species can be propagated with seeds or cuttings. Because they can produce separate male and female flowers on the same plant, they are self-fertile. This also allows their orange fruit to readily show. They also grow very slowly.[5][3]

This plant should be protected from drought, frost and excessive sunlight. Baboon's cucumbers should be grown in well-drained soil, with lots of water during the growing season. Providing with warmth and fertiliser during its active will also speed up its growth.[3]

During the summer, water regularly, but not during autumn or winter as this could leave it vulnerable to rotting. It should also be kept above 0 °C.[3][6]

Because it's a climber, the stems will need some support.[3]

Uses

Traditional Medicine

Kedrostis africana is used to induce vomiting, urination, the prevention of fluid retention. It is also used to treat syphilis. A decoction of the crushed bulb is taken to manage obesity.[7][8]

References

  1. Unuofin, Jeremiah Oshiomame; Otunola, Gloria Aderonke; Afolayan, Anthony Jide (May 2017). "Nutritional evaluation of Kedrostis africana (L.) Cogn: An edible wild plant of South Africa". Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 7 (5): 443–449. doi:10.1016/j.apjtb.2017.01.016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Kedrostis africana". www.llifle.com. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Kedrostis africana (Baboon's Cucumber)". World of Succulents. 2018-08-24. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  4. "Kedrostis africana". The Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  5. 1 2 "CAUDICIFORM Kedrostis africana (var 2)". www.bihrmann.com. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  6. 1 2 "Kedrostis africana". Planet Desert. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  7. "Kedrostis africana - Baboons Cucumber (plant)". Herbalistics. 2017-10-16. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  8. van Wyk, B.-E. (October 2008). "A review of Khoi-San and Cape Dutch medical ethnobotany". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 119 (3): 331–341. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.07.021. PMID 18703129.
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