Jateorhiza palmata (calumba) is a perennial climbing plant from East Africa.

It contains no tannins, hence it can be safely used in iron preparations for the treatment of anaemia without the fear of precipitation resulted from in vitro interaction.

Tall, dioecious twining perennial vine; often reaching the tops of trees.

The annual stems, one or two from each root, have hairs with glandular tips and have large bright green membranous leaves which are palmate, alternate and long petioled.

The tuberous root is large and fleshy, about 3–8 centimetres (1.2–3.1 in) in diameter with a thick bark.