Kangaroo vine, Water vine
Cissus antarctica

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

A tall woody climber. It has tendrils. It grows 5-15 m high. The young shoots are flattened and have brown hairs. The leaves are broad and oval. They are dark green and shiny. They leaf edges can have coarse teeth. Leaves are 8-15 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. The flowers are greenish. They are 0.5 cm across. They occur in dense clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit are round and black. They are 1 cm across. The fruit are edible.

There are about 200-350 Cissus species. There are about 75 species in tropical America.

Where it is found

It grows in warm temperate to tropical places. It grows naturally on the edges of the rainforest in Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. It needs well drained soil. It does best with light shade. It is damaged by heavy frosts. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

CAUTION. The fruit contain calcium oxalates which irritate the throat. The fruit are edible. They are used for cooking and jams.

Edible parts

Fruit, caution, stems - water

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed which must be sown fresh. The flesh is removed before planting. They can also be grown from stem cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Cissus antartica var. integerrima Domin; Cissus natartica var. pubescens Domin; Cissus baudiniana Brouss. ex DC.; Cissus bodiniana Planch.; Cissus glandulosa Poir.; Vitis antarctica Benth.; Vitis baudiniana (DC.) F. Muell.;