Causonis trifolia

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

A woody creeper. It grows 2-20 m long. The branches have ridges along them. They are slightly hairy. The tendrils are 3-5 branched. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are oval and 3-6 cm long by 1.5-4 cm wide. They have hairs on top. The fruit are round berries 7-8 mm across. They have 2-3 seeds. The seeds are triangle shaped.

It has several important medicinal properties.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vanuatu, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves are boiled with salt and then eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Causonis trifolia (L.) Raf.; Cayratia carnosa (Lam.) Gagnep.; Cayratia trifolia (L.) Domin; Cayratia mekongensis C. Y. Wu; Cayratia timorensis (DC.) C. L. Li; Cissus carnosa Lam.; Cissua cinerea Lam.; Vitis carnosa (Lam.) Wall.; Vitis crenata Wall.; Vitis trifolia L.; and others