What is the tree grape swollen trunk?

A pachycaul water-storing caudex with peeling yellowish bark — the horticultural feature, not the seasonal grape-like leaves alone.

Why did leaves drop in summer?

Drought-deciduous habit — normal in dry stress; overwatering to force leaves back causes caudex rot.

Is Cyphostemma related to edible grapes?

Vitaceae family relative — ornamental collector plant, not a vineyard substitute.

What drainage is required in India?

Raised gritty mounds with monsoon overflow — wet collars kill caudex faster than drought.

How rare is currorii in trade?

Collector-grade — lead times and size classes vary; [Unverified] typical India availability should be confirmed early in design.

What import paperwork fits tree grape?

Vitaceae caudiciforms need genus/species accuracy on phytosanitary certificates for quarantine — generic 'grape' labels fail review (informational, not legal advice).

How should currorii BOQs be evaluated?

Caudex photos, bark condition, mound engineering, and dry AMC — not deciduous leaf colour at purchase.

Tree grape

Tree grape (Cyphostemma currorii)

Cyphostemma currorii — tree grape or cobas — is a Namibian pachycaul with a stout water-storing trunk, peeling yellowish bark, and large grape-relative leaves; the swollen caudex is the collector feature and rots fast in wet Indian soils.

Spec

At a glance

Botanical name: Cyphostemma currorii
Family: Vitaceae
Common names: Tree grape, cobas, Cyphostemma
Origin: Namibia and Angola
Plant type: Pachycaul caudiciform succulent
Mature height: Often 3–6 m; caudex mass dominates
Trunk / form: Stout swollen water-storing trunk; peeling yellowish bark
Crown spread: Large seasonal grape-like leaves; drought-deciduous
Growth rate: Slow caudex development — buy trunk girth
Light: Full sun; bright collector houses
Water needs: Low; caudex rot if wet
India climate suitability: Dry collector sites with drainage; poor in humid monsoon beds
Cold/heat & salt/wind tolerance: Heat-hardy; loses leaves in drought; protect from wet cold
Typical supply size: Caudex girth classes 1–3 m+ [Unverified]
Lead time (sourcing): [Unverified] collector nursery channels
Install considerations: Mound planting; never wet caudex collar; seasonal leaf drop normal
Maintenance level: Low dry AMC; accept drought-deciduous leaflessness
Cautions: Drainage-critical caudex rot; drought-deciduous; rare/slow

Gallery

Specimen visual guide

Visual context for placement, scale, handling, and landscape integration.

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Where it's used in premium projects

Tree grape is a collector pachycaul — sculptural swollen trunk in xeric galleries, private desert gardens, and estate collector courts where peeling bark and caudex mass read as living geology, not shade volume.

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Climate & site suitability in India

Drainage-critical: monsoon perched water rots the caudex faster than heat stress. Leafless periods are normal drought-deciduous behaviour — do not irrigate into rot. Humid coasts need covered or mound-only culture.

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Sourcing & acclimatisation

Rare slow species — specify caudex girth and bark condition. [Unverified: typical India collector hold vs Namibian import.] Document Vitaceae identity on paperwork, not generic grapevine.

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Installation (pit, soil, drainage, bracing)

Plant proud on gravel mounds; protect peeling bark in rigging. Large leaves mean seasonal litter — plan paving tolerance. Forbid turf spray on caudex zone.

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Establishment & AMC

Overwatering is the top establishment killer — AMC must allow leaf drop without increasing water. Soft caudex is emergency dry-down. Collector teams should expect slow caudex expansion year on year.

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