Native grape, Pepper vine
Clematiciccus opaca

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

A weak climber. It grows 5-10 m high. It has many fleshy tubers. These can be 25 cm long. The leaves are arranged with leaflets like fingers on a hand. There are 3-5 leaflets. The leaflets are 2-5 cm long and oval. They are bright green and often purplish underneath. The flower arrangements are opposite the leaves. The flowers are yellow. They are 0.2 cm across. The fruit are berries 0.6-0.8 cm across. The berries are bluish black.

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

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in coastal and inland areas in Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. It can tolerate salty winds. It requires a sunny position and well drained soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The tubers are roasted and eaten.

Edible parts

Root, tuber, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed or stem cuttings. The tubers can be transplanted.

Its other names

Local names

Small-leaved water vine, Wappo wappo, Woodland grape, Yaloone

Synonyms

Cayratia cuneata Domin.; Cissus opaca F. Muell.; Vitis opaca F. Muell.;