Wild grape

Wild grape is a slow-growing plant that only grows a couple of meters tall. It has a thick stem that can store large quantities of water after the occasional rain in the desert. This enables the plant to survive until the next rainfall.

The stem is covered in white, paper-like flakes of bark that reflect the sunlight and thus, help to keep the plant cool and reduce water evaporation. In the driest periods of the year, it sheds its leaves to further reduce water loss.

The plant gets its name from the large bunches of grape-like, red fruits.  The fruits are, however, not edible.  

Fact box:

• Greenhouse location: Desert house
• Danish name: Trævin
• Latin name: Cyphostemma juttae
• Family: Grape famlily / Vitaceae
• Natural habitat: Namibia

Learn more about other plants here.