Cyphostemma juttae

Common Names

Namibian Grape, Wild Grape, Tree Grape, Elephant's Foot, Droog-My-Keel, Bastard Cobas, Blue Cobas, Botterboom, Jutta's Botterboom

Summary

Namibian grape is a slow-growing, drought-tolerant succulent tree native to arid regions of Namibia and southern Africa. It forms a large swollen caudex with peeling pale bark and a spreading canopy, reaching up to about 2 m tall. Leaves are large, blue-green, fleshy and serrated; juvenile leaves may emerge red or purple and fall in winter. Flowers are inconspicuous greenish, followed by showy grape-like berries that ripen to red or purple and are not edible due to high tannic acids.

Culture emphasizes full sun to bright light and well-drained soil; drought tolerance means sparing watering, with soil allowed to dry between waterings and very little water in winter; container or ground cultivation; hardy in USDA zones 9–11 with frost protection below about 25°F (-4°C). Propagation is by seed (scarified with long germination) or cuttings; use fast-draining soil such as cactus mix, and avoid overwatering. It is used as a striking specimen for containers, rockeries, and desert-style gardens, and the berries are decorative but poisonous.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-12 ft

Spread

2-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zone 9b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun, may require some afternoon shade in hot climates, tolerates partial sun to partial shade, partial shade with 4–5 hours of filtered sun daily

Soil Type

Well-draining soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, fast-draining soil, loamy or sandy, cactus/succulent potting mix.

Soil pH

6.0-7.5

Bloom Color

Greenish cream

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Blue-green

Fall Foliage Color

Glossy green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts other pollinators, attracts birds