Cissus quadrangularis L.
Climbing Cactus / Patah-patah tulang (Bru.)
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Perennial or terrestrial climber that can rise up to 4 m high. Leaves are simple, alternately arranged and glabrous at both surfaces. Leaf blade is slightly deltoid or ovoid, rounded at apex, cordate at base with toothed margin and tri- veined. Tendrils are long, simple and opposed to leaf. Stems are thick, succulent, quadrangular and winged at sides. The stems get almost leafless when mature. Flowers are small, pink to white and tubular. Inflorescence in umbelliform. Fruit a globose red
Root and rhizome are made into a decoction and can be taken orally to relieve jaundice. Fresh leaves are pounded into a poultice and applied externally for abscesses. The plant is reported to have antioxidant and thyrosinase
It prefers moist but well- drained fertile soil under a condition of full sunlight, however it can grow on poor soil.
Stem cutting.
Native of tropical America but now a more or less pantropical weed.
None