Cissus quadrangularis L.

Taxonomy: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Vitales > Vitaceae > Cissus > C. quadrangularis

Description: Rambling, succulent, glabrous, deciduous shrubs; stem 4-angular, winged or ridged at angles, constricted at nodes; tendril simple. Leaves simple, entire or 3-lobed, ovate-sub orbicular or sub reniform, base truncate, margin distantly spinulose-crenate, apex obtuse, thick-coriaceous; petiole to 1 cm long. Flowers in leaf-opposed, peduncled, umbellate cymes. Calyx-tube obscurely 4-lobed, c. 2 mm long, reddish. Petals ovate, acute, greenish-yellow, recurved. Stamens 4; filaments to 2 cm long; anthers yellow. Disk 4-lobed, yellow. Ovary c. 1mm long, 2-celled; ovules 2 per cell. Berry c. 7 mm across, sub globose. Seeds black, smooth.

Flowering and Fruiting: June - January

Uses: Ayurveda, Folk medicine, Siddha and also The young stem and leaves are made into chutney eaten as an appetizer. Stems are used as a rope.

Cultivation: Naturally cultivated.

References

http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org

https://indiabiodiversity.org