Cissus.
In Family Vitaceae there are around 350 species with 14 in Australia.
Most are woody lianas with some small shrubs and herbs with some being succulent.
The stems may be circular or ribbed and the bark does not peel off.
Glands are often present and there may be hairs.
The leaves are mostly palmate with 3 or 5 (7) lobes but some are simple.
Most have long petioles with 2 stipules at the base.
The leaf shape and the presence of hairs are variable among the species.
The edges are often toothed.
Vines climb using tendrils that arise opposite the leaves.
Tendrils may be undivided or branched a few times.
The tips do not have adhesive pads.
The branched inflorescences are almost always leaf opposed.
The peduncles are commonly long and there are bracts.
The uni- or bisexual flowers have parts in 4’s.
They are on pedicels with bracteoles.
The cup-shaped calyx may have a flat top or small lobes.
The petals are free except at the tips which lie over the anthers.
As the flower matures the petals open fully then bend back and fall off.
The stamens, on short filaments have anthers that open inwards.
Between the stamens and ovary is a large, thick nectiferous disc.
It may be a ring or the top may be wavy or lobed.
The superior ovary has 2 locules with 2 ovules in each.
It is sometimes almost hidden by a large disc.
The style holds a very small stigma that may be 2-lobed.
The fruit are spherical or oval berries with 1 (4) seeds.
J.F.
