Cyphostemma currorii - Cobas Tree - Butter Tree

General Information Common Name  Cobas tree, Butter Tree Scientific Name  Cyphostemma currorii Sun Tolerance  Full Sun Height  2 - 6 m (6-20 ft) Spread  2-3 m(7-10 ft) Growth Rate  Slow Bloom Time  Spring Color  Green Flower Color  Yellow Type  Cactus & Succulents Native  Angola, Namibia

Classification Kingdom  Plantae – Plants Subkingdom  Tracheobionta – Vascular plants Superdivision  Spermatophyta – Seed plants Division  Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants Class  Magnoliopsida Subclass  Rosidae Order  Vitales Family  Vitaceae Genus  Cyphostemma Species  C. currorii

Cyphostemma currorii  - Cobas Tree - Butter Tree

Cyphostemma Currorii is known by the names of Cobas Tree or 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. It gets to grow as big as it stores much moisture in its thick smooth trunk that reflects the heat and protects the trunk from evaporation. They are characteristic and decorative rockery species, but please remember that they are protected plants, because in nature they grow very slowly.  The tree is frequently multi-stemmed and may reach a height of 6 m, while normally the diameter of its trunk is about 1 m. The papery bark is yellowish to pale brown, the under bark whitish to reddish.  The small greenish flowers form a spreading panicle and appear together with the leaves. The leaves fall off in the dry season. Bunches of red berries develop from these flowers clearly indicating that this plant is related to the grapevine. The oval fruit are borne in bunches like grapes and colors are orange. The shiny skin and big green leaves that clump at the top makes it look like a large broccoli. Some look surreal, like they have come out from a cartoon. A curious conversation maker in any garden.  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  - Cobas Tree - Butter Tree

Cyphostemma currorii  - Cobas Tree - Butter Tree

Cyphostemma currorii  - Cobas Tree - Butter Tree : Flowers

Cyphostemma currorii  - Cobas Tree - Butter Tree : Fruits

Cyphostemma currorii  - Cobas Tree - Butter Tree

Cyphostemma currorii  - Cobas Tree - Butter Tree

Cyphostemma currorii  - Cobas Tree - Butter Tree 

Cyphostemma currorii  - Cobas Tree - Butter Tree

Cyphostemma currorii  - Cobas Tree - Butter Tree

Cyphostemma currorii  - Cobas Tree - Butter Tree

Cyphostemma currorii  - Cobas Tree - Butter Tree : Young Plant