Cissus gongylodes

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vitis tricuspis
• Vitis gongylodes
• Cissus gongylodes var. lobata
• Cissus cervii
• Cissus tricuspis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Vitales, placing it in the family Vitaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Cissus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, its range extends into the country of Venezuela. Moving toward the western part of the continent, the species is found within the territories of Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. Additionally, the plant is distributed within the West-Central region of Brazil. Collectively, these locations highlight a diverse habitat spanning both northern and western South American landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cissus gongylodes is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution and a diverse range of environmental settings. This species is found across an elevational range spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 1,300 m AMSL, maintaining a mean elevation of approximately 1,300 m AMSL. Its habitat preference is notably varied, allowing it to thrive in anthropized areas (Área Antrópica) as well as distinct natural biomes, including the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Terra Firme forests (Floresta de Terra Firme), and Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forests (Floresta Estacional Semidecidual).

Elevational range max:

100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Morphology

The morphology of Cissus gongylodes is characterized by its growth habit as a non-woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber that relies on external structures for support. Although it can occupy various ecological niches, its primary growth form is terrestrial rather than aquatic or semiaquatic. While it exhibits characteristics that allow it to navigate complex environments, it remains a terrestrial entity rather than acting as a holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or any other specialized epiphytic form. Furthermore, the plant operates as an independent organism, lacking the parasitic traits of obligatory or facultative parasites, maintaining its own physiological autonomy as it climbs.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cissus gongylodes has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Cissus gongylodes has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include DL-malic acid, Flavonoids, Isoquercetin, L-Malic acid, RUTIN.

DL-malic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Isoquercetin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

L-Malic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

RUTIN

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Cissus gongylodes has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include acute pain, disinfection, gastritis, joint pain, kidney stone.

Acute pain

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Disinfection

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gastritis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Joint pain

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Kidney stone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Kidney stones

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rheumatism

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Struvite

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Urolithiasis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Cissus gongylodes has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include decoction, leaf decoction.

Decoction

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf decoction

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology