Cyphostemma mappia

Often described as the "Mauritian baobab" or the "mini baobab", it is a cousin of the vine that has evolved here into gigantism.
The type specimen of Mapou Wood, endemic to Mauritius, was collected by the father of Mauritian botany Philibert Commerson in the 18th century.
As it ages, its light gray trunk, characteristic of the Malagasy and African Cyphostemma, can approach the silhouette of the baobab.
This cousin of the vine, having become a tree through time, offers another illustration of the evolution towards gigantism that is regularly found in some ancient, volcanic and oceanic islands.
Like the baobab, its wood is soft and waterlogged, and its branches are thick and fleshy. The other species of the genus generally carry tendrils, typical of lianas and other vines, which have disappeared from Cyphostemma mappia, which makes them a rare exception.


Often described as the "Mauritian baobab" or the "mini baobab", it is a cousin of the vine that has evolved here into gigantism. The type specimen of Mapou Wood, endemic to Mauritius, was collected by the father of Mauritian botany Philibert Commerson in the 18th century. As it ages, its light gray trunk, characteristic of the Malagasy and African Cyphostemma, can approach the silhouette of the baobab. This cousin of the vine, having become a tree through time, offers another illustration of the evolution towards gigantism that is regularly found in some ancient, volcanic and oceanic islands. Like the baobab, its wood is soft and waterlogged, and its branches are thick and fleshy. The other species of the genus generally carry tendrils, typical of lianas and other vines, which have disappeared from Cyphostemma mappia, which makes them a rare exception.
Country of Origin	Mauritius
General Features	Plant which can be grown as a Bonsai . Succulent Plant . Develops a caudex .
Botanical Family	Vitaceae
Synonyms	Cissus mappia, Vitis mappia
Habitat
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