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- The possible medicinal and culinary uses of indigenous edible plants have generated a renewed interest in ethnobotanical research. Cissus quadrangularis, a plant with significant potential, is becoming more popular because of its ability to improve the nutritional value of food items, yet little information is available about the plant’s identification, usage, or perception by its primary consumers. Through key informant interviews with elderly Indian community members, who are the majority of C. quadrangularis consumers in South Africa, this exploratory qualitative study aims to determine knowledge, use, and perceptions of the plant to facilitate the development of food products. The data collected from an Indian community in KwaZulu-Natal through key informant interviews was processed using thematic analysis. The sub-themes addressed in this study include plant identification, medicinal applications, health advantages, nutritional advantages, food sources, cooking techniques, recipes, food application recommendations, preparation methods, and adverse consequences. The findings of the study indicate the plant was widely used as a side dish by the participants, who also reported using it for its nutritional benefits and therapeutic reasons, particularly for maintaining bone health. Chutneys, pastes, and fritters were among the most consumed food items prepared from the plant. These findings may be helpful in the development of suitable food products that make use of the advantageous qualities of C. quadrangularis, which has the potential to improve the quality of the diet.
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