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