Cissus
-
Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro. 2005. Vines and climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 51: 1-483.
-
Family
Vitaceae
-
Scientific Name
-
Description
Description - Vines, usually fleshy, that climb by means of tendrils opposite the leaves. The stems fleshy or slightly woody, without anatomical anomalies, producing scarce watery latex when cut. Leaves simple or trifoliolate, alternate, with serrate or entire margins; petioles more or less long; stipules small and deciduous. Flowers 4-merous, actinomorphic, usually bisexual, produced in compound cymes, opposite the leaves; calyx campanulate, with 4 minute lobes; petals 4, reflexed during anthesis; stamens alternating with the petals; disc cupuliform, entire or lobate; ovary superior, bilocular, with a robust and elongate style. Fruit a fleshy berry, globose, ovoid, or depressed-globose. A pantropical genus of 350 species.