This rare cucurbit of eastern tropical Africa is a perennial vine and can be found climbing trees in rainforests from Uganda, south to Malawi, and west to Congo. It can reach 10 m (33 ft) or more, with large, deeply lobed leaves and yellow flowers. Like many cucurbits, Coccinia mildbraedii is dioecious, meaning plants have either male or female flowers. Thus there must be individuals of each sex to produce fruit. Its fruit is a large, squash-like berry, with green and red mottled skin when ripe. The vine thrives in well-draining soil with moderate or heavy water, and some sun.