Cissus microcarpa

Cissus microcarpa Vahl.

Synonym: Cissus trifoliata

Common Names: Thick Leaves Cissus

Family: Vitaceae

HabitCissus microcarpa grows as a woody vine (not quite a liana) to 8 meters in length. It is swollen at the nodes. The slightly succulent tri-foliate leaves are arranged alternately, to 3 cm in length.  The leaflets are obovate-oblong, with a serrate upper leaf margin and an acute leaf apex.

The complete, perfect, actinomorphic flowers are arranged in cymes.  The calyx has 4 green fused sepals. The corolla has 4 greenish yellow unfused petals.  There are 4 stamens.  The ovary is half inferior with 2 locules and 4 seeds.  The fruit is a berry turning purple-black at maturity.

Habitat: Cissus microcarpa grows climbing on other vegetation in Dunes, Mangroves and Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation – Woodland and Shrublands (open coppice).

Distribution: Cissus microcarpa occurs on the island groupings in the northern half of the Lucayan Archipelago as well as Cuba and Hispaniola.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Cissus microcarpa is not used medicinally in the Bahamas.