Description: Woody climbers. Tendrils simple or 2-branched at apex, adhesive discs absent.
Leaves simple or more commonly palmately compound with lateral leaflets smaller than terminal one, margins toothed to entire. Cymes compact, leaf-opposed or placed next to leaves, main branches, ± umbellate; usually long-peduncled.
Flowers bisexual, usually 4-merous. Calyx shortly toothed. Petals free, apex hooded. Disc cupular, fused to base of ovary, 4-lobed. Ovary 2-locular, each loculus with 2 ovules; stigma small.
Berry 1- or rarely 2-seeded.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 350 species, widespread, chiefly tropical regions. Australia: 9 species (2 species endemic), Qld, N.S.W., Vic., N.T.
Text by G. J. Harden
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the species | |
| 1 | Leaves simple | Cissus antarctica |
| Leaves compound, usually 3–5-foliolate | 2 |
| 2 | Leaves with prominent domatia | Cissus sterculiifolia |
| Leaves without domatia
Back to 1 | 3 |
| 3 | Leaflets usually 5–10 cm long, rounded at base and borne on distinct petiolules; young shoots rusty-hairy | Cissus hypoglauca |
| Leaflets mostly 1–6 cm long, tapering into short petiolules or sessile; young shoots more or less glabrous
Back to 2 | Cissus opaca |
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