Possum grape
Cissus verticillata

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

A vine. It can be 10 m long. It climbs by means of tendrils. The stems are fleshy and cylinder shaped but become flattened when mature. They can be 5 cm across. It is swollen at the nodes. The leaves are alternate and 5-12 cm long by 4-7 cm wide. The leaves are heart shaped and have teeth along the edge. Leaves can have lobes. The flowers are in groups opposite the leaves. They are yellow to pink. The fruit are round and up to 1 cm across. They are shiny and dark purple to black. There are 1 or 2 seeds.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Antilles, Argentina, Aruba, Asia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Caribbean, Central America, Chile, Colombia, Cook Is., Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America, Suriname, Taiwan, Trinidad-Tobago, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Roots, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Anil-trepador, Bejuco de caro, Caavurana, Carabo coati, Caro, Cipo-anil, Cipo-puca, Diabetil, Insulina, Lambrali, Parreira-brava, Pinna koop, Puddin vine, Quebra-barreira, Tinta-de-gentio, Tripa de vaca, Uva-do-mato

Synonyms

Cissus cordifolia L.; Ozarthris paradoxa Raf.; and many others