Cyphostemma oleraceum is a succulent perennial growing annual above-ground parts from a perennial underground tuber. The specific name, oleraceum is a Latin word, oleracea the specific name of cabbage, chosen on account of the cabbage-like leaves of the plant.

The distribution of this South African endemic is Limpopo and slightly into the north of Mpumalanga. It is common in parts of the Waterberg region.

The habitat is mixed bushveld, here befriending rocks. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century.

Some Cyphostemma species feature in traditional medicine in Africa, dealing with pain and injuries (Hardy and Fabian, 1992; Germishuizen and Fabian, 1982; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).