TROCHOMERIA DEBILIS

This member of the Cucurbitaceae family was given this name by George Bentham and Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1867. It is found in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, growing in a well drained soil with some water and some to lots of sun. The caudex can grow to at least 25 centimetres in diameter, and the vines can reach three metres. Both male and female flowers are yellowish green, and the small fruits are orange-red.

The genera name is derived from two Greek words, trochos; 'a wheel' and meris; 'a part'. The connection to the plant is rather obscure; perhaps the long, narrow corolla lobes look like the spokes of a wheel? The species name means 'weak' or 'frail'. The flower and caudex by Roger and Alison Heath, Powo.science.kew.org. The leaf by Roger and Alison Heath, Powo.science.kew.org. It can be less serrated.