Scientific Name
Kedrostis africana (L.) Cogn.
Common Name(s)
Baboon's Cucumber
Synonym(s)
Bryonia africana, Coniandra africana, Rhynchocarpa africana
Scientific Classification
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Subfamily: Cucurbitoideae
Tribe: Coniandreae
Genus: Kedrostis
Description
Kedrostis africana is a vining, caudiciform plant with many slender, climbing or trailing stems growing from a swollen base. The caudex is simple or branched, woody, and can reach a diameter of 20 inches (50 cm). The stems are annual, green, glabrous or nearly so, and can grow up to 20 feet (6 m) long. Leaves are alternate, green, distinctly lobed or dissected, triangular in outline, and up to 4 inches (10 cm) long.
The plant blooms during the summer. The male flowers appear solitary or in groups of up to 12 in short racemes on up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) long peduncles and range from green-yellow to whitish or cream. The female flowers are solitary or few in fascicles and range from green-yellow to whitish or cream. The fruits are spherical, up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) in diameter, red when ripe, and few-seeded.
Origin
Kedrostis africana is native to Namibia and South Africa. It is common in mainly more arid summer rainfall areas.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Baboon's Cucumber is monoecious (with separate male and female flowers but on the same plant) and is often self-fertile, so the showy, orange fruits are readily formed. It can be grown from seed in most areas as long as the young plants are protected against drought, severe frost, and too much sunlight.
As a climber, its stems need some support to give a showy effect. Baboon's Cucumber prefers well-drained soil, lots of water in the growing period, and some sun. It grows very slowly, but it is possible to increase the speed of growth by providing an adequate amount of water, warmth, and fertilizer during the active growing season.
Baboon's Cucumber likes a sunny position but avoid direct blasting sun in summer. Water regularly during the summer. Avoid watering in the fall or winter. It is susceptible to rot if too wet.
This is one of the hardiest caudiciform plants, tolerating winter rain and several degrees of frost. It can be grown outdoors in frost-free climates but must be kept above 32 °F (0 °C) and dry in winter.
See more at How to Grow and Care for a Baboon's Cucumber (Kedrostis africana).
Links
- Back to genus Kedrostis
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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