''Ampelocissus gracilipes'', also known as abourbee ( Akan-Twi), is a climbing vine or

liana A liana is a long- stemmed, woody vine that is rooted in the soil at ground level and uses trees, as well as other means of vertical support, to climb up to the canopy in search of direct sunlight. The word ''liana'' does not refer to a ta ...

in the Grape family of tropical western Africa ( Ghana to

Liberia Liberia (), officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to Liberia–Sierra Leone border, its northwest, Guinea to its north, Ivory Coast to its east, and the Atlantic Ocean ...

), in densely vegetative, forested areas. The stems which are semi-woody, thick and sturdy, but not very hard, start out with a dense covering of washy-brown hairs, giving way over time to a complexion of small warts. Both flowers and fruits are red.

Uses

The stem sap is potable and abundant, and can be drunk like water. The fruits, whether they have ripened or not, are also edible, but are not consumed in great quantity.

References

External links

Specimen JPG from Aluka.org
gracilipes Plants described in 1905 Flora of Liberia Flora of Ghana {{Vitaceae-stub