Cissus verticillata


Cissus verticillata, the princess vine or seasonvine, is an evergreen perennial vine in the grapevine family Vitaceae. It grows primarily in tropical regions near sea level, including many locations in the Caribbean region.

Description

The vine - a liana - is a long-stemmed, woody bush rooted in wet soil of tropical forests, and typically climbing around other plants to form a dense canopy. Extrafloral nectaries are present in this species.

Taxonomy

A large number of names have been synonymized to this species; currently 72 synonyms are recognized.

Folk medicine

Historical folk medicine recommendations include "weakness of the stomach", fevers and antiepileptic action. The root bark was also chewed "to strengthen teeth".

History and naming

Cissus verticillata was discovered in 1571 in Mexico and first described in 1574 by Nicolás Monardes who named in Spanish Carlo Sancto. In Europe the plant was compared to hop so it was named by Caspar Bauhin Lupulus Mechiocanus. The roots of Cissus verticillata were exported to Europe as material for folk medicine near the end of the 18th century.