Cyphia sylvatica var. sylvatica flowering in dense vegetation

Cyphia sylvatica var. sylvatica, the bosbaroe (bush baroe) or melkbaroe (milk baroe), is a climbing perennial reaching heights of about 1 m. 

The plant grows from a potato-like tuber that used to be eaten by some indigenous tribes. The tuber allows the plant to regenerate foliage rapidly after rain and summer dormancy. The milky substance contained in the tuber quenches the thirst of knowledgeable passersby prepared to dig, or offer them tasty food, either raw or roasted.

Branched thin stems twine around neighbouring vegetation or other available supports. The leaves are narrowly lance-shaped and may have finely toothed margins. The leaves are not divided as are those of C. digitata.

The plant is found in the Little Karoo to KwaZulu-Natal.The habitat is flats of clay or loam soil among fynbos, scrub, or trees (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; iSpot; Van Wyk and Gericke, 2000).