Previous plant

Coccinia microphylla

Next plant

Young plant. Photo by Marlena Fairbourne.


Photo by Marlena Fairbourne.

Author: Ernest Friedrich Gilg, 1904
Family:  CUCURBITACEAE
Origin:  South Kenya, North Tanzania, Ethiopia, Somalia
Soil:  Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Medium
Thickness:  ? Centimetres
Height:  4 Metres
Flower:  Pale Yellow / Green Veined
Propagate:  Seeds/Cuttings
Names:  -
Synonyms:  Coccinia buikoensis, Albert Zimmeter, 1922.

This member of the Cucurbitaceae family was given this name by Ernest Friedrich Gilg in 1904. It is found in the highlands of southern Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and northern Tanzania, growing in a well drained soil with some water and some sun. At present, I have no information on the size of the caudex, but the entire plant can reach four meters in height. The flowers are pale yellow with green veins, the fruits red.

The genera name from Latin coccineus, meaning 'red' or 'scarlet' which must referee to the fruits. The specific name referring to the small leaves.


Photo by Marlena Fairbourne.