SAN DIEGO BOTANIC GARDEN IS MOVING A STRANGE
AND EXOTIC TREE INTO ITS COLLECTION… AND IS USING
A FORKLIFT TO DO IT!
A large specimen of Cyphostemma juttae, the Tree Grape, is being donated to the
Garden by plant enthusiasts Paul & Ann Tuskes
A rare, unusual, and crazy-looking succulent from South Africa, a Cyphostema juttae, is being
donated to the San Diego Botanic Garden by Paul and Ann Tuskes.
Known as the “Tree Grape” or the “Nambian Grape,” or Droog-my-keel in Africans this
particular plant is so heavy, it requires a forklift to lift it from the ground outside of the Tuskes’
home in order to move it to its new, permanent home at the San Diego Botanic Garden.
“Cyphostemma juttae is an odd member of the grape family (vitaceae). This species produces a
bizarre canopy of serrated, blue-green leaves which emerge each spring from swollen, tree-like
trunks that are lined with a papery, peeling bark. Each plant takes on a unique shape with its own
‘personality’ and regularly attains 4 or 5 feet with time. However this specimen may be a record
for its size. It is the largest one I have ever seen and is easily 7 feet tall,” says Julian Duval,
President and CEO of the San Diego Botanic Garden.
This huge specimen which has outgrown its space being donated by the Tuskes is currently
dormant, but will be replanted at the Garden in April or May, right before its growing season in
the summer months. The Tree Grape is named for the large, grape-like bunches of bright-wine
colored berries it produces near the end of the summer, making this succulent a true showpiece
for plant enthusiasts to grow in containers or in their own private gardens in Southern California.
For more information please contact:
Julian Duval
President and CEO
jduval@SDBGarden.org
760/ 436-3036 x202 (office)
760/ 207-7190 (cell)
SAN DIEGO BOTANIC GARDEN
230 QUAIL GARDENS DR. ENCINITAS CA, 92024
760-436-3036
SDBGARDEN.ORG