Common Name:

General Information

Cissus quadrangularis is a deciduous, succulent, climbing plant producing stems from 1 - 15 metres long from a tuberous rootstock. The stems either scramble over the ground or climb into the surrounding vegetation, attaching themselves by means of tendrils. The plant often produces very few leves, photosynthesis being carried out by the green, four-sided stems.
A popular medicinal herb, especially in India, where it is particularly valued as an analgesic herb that promotes healing, especially of broken bones[]. It is cultivated in gardens both as a medicinal plant and also for ornamental purposes[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Throughout tropical Africa; through the Arabian Peninsula to the Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines.

Habitat

Scrub; thicket; Acacia woodland; grassland with scattered Combretum etc; termite mounds; riverine thicket; coastal forest edges; sandy banks of rivers; outwash gully in dense mixed thicket; at elevations from near sea level to 2,250 metres in Africa[]

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Climber
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of drier to arid regions, mainly in the lowland tropics and frost-free subtropics, though it can also be found at elevations over 2,000 metres. The plant is intolerant of any frost[].
Succeeds in full sun to light shade[]. Succeeds in most soils but prefers a loam[].

Edible Uses

Young green stems - cooked[]. Usually fried or curried[]. The leaves and young shoots are used in the preparation of poppadoms and curries[].

Fruit[].

The ash of the plant is used as a substitute for baking powder[].

Medicinal

An infusion of the plant is antifungal and anthelmintic[].

The pulped stem is given in the treatment of asthma; is used as an alterative in cases of amenorrhoea; and is given in the treatment of haemorrhoids[].
The leaves or young stems are analgesic and also speed the rate of healing[]. They are crushed and applied as a poultice to ease the pain of broken bones; for the maturation of boils; to cure wounds and burns; to ease the pain of rheumatic joints; and also as a treatment for saddle sores on horses[].

The powdered dry roots are used for treating indigestion[].
The powdered root is considered to be a specific in the treatment of fractured bones[].

An ethyl alcohol extract of the stem has shown interesting oestrogenic properties. In addition, it has shown a growth-promoting effect on skin cells and also reduces cell death from oxidation. The plant has potential as an active ingredient in preparations for the treatment of skin-ageing in post-menopausal women[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is sometimes grown to stabilize sand dunes[].
The plant can be grown to form a hedge[].

Other Uses

The stems and roots yield a strong fibre[, ].

Propagation

Seed -
Layers very easily[].

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