Cissus antarctica
Vent.
Kangaroo vine, Water vine
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(c) rowdthedowd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) rowdthedowd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) rowdthedowd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
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.
Edible Uses
The berries were eaten by Australian Aborigines, and water was extracted from the young vine stems.
Traditional Uses
CAUTION. The fruit contain calcium oxalates which irritate the throat. The fruit are edible. They are used for cooking and jams.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
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.
Where It Grows
Australia*,
Cultivation
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.
Notes
There are about 200-350 Cissus species. There are about 75 species in tropical America.
Nutrition
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit | 81.5 | — | — | 0.2 | — | — | — | — |
Synonyms
References (25)
- Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 258
- Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 270
- Caton, J.M. & Hardwick, R. J., 2016, Field Guide to Useful Native Plants from Temperate Australia. Harbour Publishing House. p 226
- Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 154, 194
- Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 64
Show all 25 references Hide references
- Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 380
- Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1984, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 3. Lothian. p 39
- Greig, D., 1996, Flowering Natives for Home Gardens. Angus & Robertson. p 118
- Hardwick, R.J., 2000, Nature's Larder. A Field Guide to the Native Food Plants of the NSW South Coast. Homosapien Books. p 94
- Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 681 (As Vitis antarctica)
- Heyne, G. & P., 1985, Australian Plants for your Garden. Lothian. p 64
- Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 67
- Jackes, B.R., 2001, Plants of the Tropics. Rainforest to Heath. An Identification Guide. James Cook University. p 86
- Jones D, L, 1986, Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, p 285
- Jones, D.L. & Gray, B., 1977, Australian Climbing Plants. Reed. p 19, 58, 89
- Leiper, G & Houser, J., Mutooroo. Plant Use by Australian Aboriginal People. Assembly press, Queensland.
- Lord, E.E., & Willis, J.H., 1999, Shrubs and Trees for Australian gardens. Lothian. p 321
- Low, T., 1991, Wild Food Plants of Australia. Australian Nature FieldGuide, Angus & Robertson. p 62
- Melzer, R. & Plumb, J., 2011, Plants of Capricornia. Belgamba, Rockhampton. p 392
- Molyneux, B & Forrester, S., 1997, The Austraflora A-Z of Australian Plants. Reed. p 67
- Nicholson, N & H., 1996, Australian Rainforest Plants 3, Terania Rainforest Publishing. NSW. p 14
- Ratcliffe D & P., 1987, Australian Native Plants for Indoors. Little Hills press. p 69
- Ryan, M. (Ed.), 2003, Wild Plants of Greater Brisbane. Queensland Museum. p 226
- Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 132
- Young, P.A.R., 1991, Rainforest Guide. Brisbane Forest Park. p 22
