Cyphostemma Juttae

Description:  probably the most common of the genus, is a slow-growing succulent ornamental tree with several huge swollen bottle-shaped stems or one thick stem bearing a spreading crown of branches. The broad, serrated, blue-green leaves form a bizarre compact canopy at the top. Every winter, it sheds those succulent leaves completely, leaving only the swollen stem. Flowers borne in early summer are inconspicuous, but the grape-like bunches of fruit are red, and later purple, and definitely attract attention.
Stem: The thick, swollen stem or caudex (which makes this plant a caudiciform) usually grows up to 2 m tall and 1 m thick (occasionally to 4 m in height ) and acts as a water reservoir in times of drought. Branches few, upright growing, almost as thick as the main stem, tapering. The trunk and branches are thick, woody, yellow-green with a white, peeling, papery bark that is very typical of this species. In summer, this bark helps to reflect away the sunlight in order to keep the plant cool.
Leaves: Deciduous, emerging each spring at branch tips but falling off going into the winter months. Thick, fleshy, leather,y and dimorphic: juvenile plants have simple though deeply lobed leaves. Upon maturing, they may become trifoliolate (having three leaflets), and they develop a characteristic winged leaf-stalk. Leaf lobes velvety blue-green, shiny, about 15 cm long with serrated (saw-toothed) edges, and very easy to break by just touching. The leaves are an attractive purple colour when first coming up.
Flowers: Inconspicuous, about the same colour as the foliage, maybe more creamy-yellow.
Blooming season: Summer
Fruits: Green turning yellow or wine-colored and eventually almost black, containing very toxic levels of tannins, so do not eat. Their delicious appearance is deceiving.