Cyphostemma currorii
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Cyphostemma currorii

Butter tree · Cobas tree

Tier 2 Difficulty: hard Water: high Light: partial_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
0
Hardiness
Zone 10–12
Click count
18
Observations
24

Description

Source: leafsnap

Cyphostemma currorii is a succulent tree belonging to the family Vitaceae and reaching a height of 6 meters or more. This plant is also known as cobas tree and 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. This species was named after Andrew B. Curror, a Royal Navy surgeon, from the vessel HMS Waterwitch, who first collected specimens of the tree at Elephant's Bay in Angola in the 1840s - the genus Curroria Planch. is also after him. 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.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Partial sun

The Cobas tree comes from environments with dappled light—such as the forest understory or rocky locations—that provide natural shade. It favors partial sun but is also able to tolerate full sun.

Ideal: Partial sun
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

Although the Cobas tree can tolerate some heat, it predominantly thrives and grows in the cooler months and goes dormant in summer. In hot summer weather, provide shade to avoid scorching from intense sunlight. Watering should be reduced or stopped during the hottest period to prevent root rot. The tree shows vigorous growth in winter and spring, and as long as temperatures do not drop too low, it will continue to grow steadily.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
💨 Humidity dry (<40%)

This plant prefers dry conditions, so don't mist it. However, watering it less often can also thrive in higher humidity.

Humidity: dry (<40%)
🪴 Soil 0-0
Soil pH: 0-0
🌱 Fertilizer

For the Cobas tree, light applications of fertilizer once or twice a year during the growing season are enough. Do not fertilize in winter or in summer when the tree is dormant. Use less fertilizer for plants that have been repotted and wait a couple of months after repotting before you resume fertilizing. Fertilizing helps maintain healthy growth and promotes blooming.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Succulent
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Cyphostemma
Family
Vitaceae
Hardiness Zone
10-12
Mature Height
0.91 m to 3.05 m
Mature Spread
0.91 m to 2.13 m
Leaf Color
Light Green, Olive
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Size
0.51 cm to 1.02 cm
Bloom Time
Early summer, Mid summer
Planting Time
Spring, Summer
Harvest Time
Late summer, Early fall
Native Area
Namibia, Angola

Tags (5)

Common Names (2)

en Butter tree
en Cobas tree