Cyphostemma mappia
[Cissus mappia, Vitis mappia] ' Mapou, small baobab of Mauritius '
[ Vitaceae ]
[ Mauritius ]
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.
Seeds (3) : 3.99 €
Seeds (100) : 101.08 €
Plant Seedling 20-25cm : Out of Stock
Habitat
zone 12 = Winter minimum temperature above 10C (above 50F) Deserts or Arid Areas Rocky Hillsides Dry tropical forests
zone 12 = Winter minimum temperature above 10C (above 50F) 
