Cephalopentandra ecirrhosa

Cephalopentandra ecirrhosa is a perennial in the cucumber family, Cucurbitaceae. Its native range runs from eastern and southern Ethiopia to northeastern Uganda. LLIFLE also records it in Kenya and Somalia. It grows in dry woodland and bushland with sandy soil. This deciduous plant sheds its leaves during dormancy. Its thick rootstock, called a caudex, makes it a collector's plant.

The plant reaches about 3.3 feet [1 metre] tall. Its trailing or climbing stems reach about the same length. The caudex grows to 0.7–2 feet [0.2–0.6 metres] across. It may stay underground or rise above the soil. With age, it forms a cone with grooves and rounded bumps. Pale, thin bark peels from its dark green surface. Young stems are soft, but their bases become thick and woody. These older parts have thin, brown bark.

The leaves range from deep green to a dull blue-green. They have short stalks and clasp the stems. Most have five to seven lobes, though some have three. The lobes vary from broad and rounded to finely divided. Leaf blades measure 0.1–0.3 feet [0.03–0.09 metres] long. Their width can reach 0.4 feet [0.12 metres]. The plant makes fewer stems and leaves than many other cucurbits.

Flowers range from yellow to cream. Plants usually bear male and female flowers on separate individuals. LLIFLE notes reports of plants changing sex. Female flowers have a swollen base that resembles a small fruit. The oval fruit starts green with pale stripes or marks. It turns orange-red as it ripens. Each fruit reaches about 0.26 feet [0.08 metres] long. It holds many black seeds with rough, bumpy coats.

Growth is slow, though warmth, water, and feed can speed it. Use a gritty potting mix that drains freely. A slightly acidic cactus mix suits its fleshy roots. Give it sun, but shield it from harsh summer rays. Keep the caudex shaded. Water well when new leaves emerge in spring or summer. Reduce water in winter; excess wetness can cause rot. Both strong heat and cold can trigger dormancy. LLIFLE advises winter temperatures above 10°C, with 15°C a safer average minimum. Outdoor growing suits frost-free climates. The supplied sources do not establish food uses or toxicity.