Cissus antarticia
Plant Number: 51
Common Name: Kangaroo
Vine, Native grape
Scientific Name: Cissus antarticia
Derivation of name
Cissus – from the Greek word 'kissos' meaning ivy
Description
Located naturally in warmer rainforests in New South Wales and Queensland
Leaves are tough grey-green or dark green with serrated margins and feel like felt, with a rust colour underneath
Vigorous growing, woody climbing vine, with twining tendrils, often found naturally in rocky exposed areas or waterways and spreads 4-6 metres
Fruits have a 15 mm diameter, are shiny black in colour and edible, although unpleasant due to their acidic taste
Flowers are cream-yellowish with 2 mm long petals spring - autumn
Propagation is easy from cuttings, which root readily and will grow in light shade to quite shady areas, also as an indoor plant
Human uses
The traditional Aboriginal use included eating the berries in autumn and extracting the volumes of clear fluid (water) which comes out of the large stems when severed.
Fauna uses
The fruits are eaten by birds and flying foxes
Acknowledgement: Bush Heritage, Mangroves to Mountain, PlantNET
Photo: Robert Whyte