Description
The Zig Zag Vine (Melodurum leichhardtii), also known as the Snake Vine or the False Sarsaparilla, is a climbing plant native to Australia. While the plant is primarily grown for its ornamental value, its fruit is also consumed by humans and other animals.
The fruit of the Zig Zag Vine is a small, round berry, usually around 1 cm in diameter. It is typically green when unripe and turns yellow or orange when fully matured. The fruit contains small, edible seeds surrounded by a thin, juicy flesh that is mildly sweet with a slightly tart flavor.
Zig Zag Vine fruit is often compared to that of the blueberry or blackcurrant. It is commonly used in jams, jellies, and syrups, and is also eaten fresh or added to desserts.
Although, the fruit is not widely consumed due to its small size and the fact that it is not easily available in large quantities, but the Zig Zag Vine fruit is a unique and flavorful addition to the world of edible fruits.
Wild ancestors
Melodurum leichhardtii or Uvaria leichhardtii, commonly known as the Zig Zag Vine or Snake Vine, is native to New Guinea and the tropical rainforests of Australia, particularly in the regions of Queensland and New South Wales.
As for its wild ancestors, not much information is available about the evolutionary history of Melodurum leichhardtii. However, as a member of the family Menispermaceae, it is closely related to other climbing and twining vines found in the region, such as Stephania japonica and Tinospora smilacina.
It is likely that the wild ancestors of the Zig Zag Vine were also climbing and twining vines that adapted to the moist and shaded understory environment of the rainforest. More research is needed to confirm this hypothesis and to fully understand the evolutionary history of Melodurum leichhardtii.
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