Cissus antarctica Vent.

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.

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.

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

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.