Kangaroo Vine
Cissus antarctica
Other Names: Water vines, jungle grapes
Family: Vitaceae (Grape family)
Habitat: Rainforests to open forest
Uses: The fruits are edible, drinking water found in stems
Season: Fruits ripen mainly in late summer and autumn
About Kangaroo Vine
According to Tim Low not all species of Vitacea (native grapes) are edible. The two species of Cissus shown here are known to be edible. Cissus opaca (Pepper vine) fruits are also edible and this is the only native grape found west of the Great Dividing Range.
Cissus antarctica is one of the more common species of the genus Cissus in the family of Vitaceae. It is a climbing plant, often used as a houseplant. It comes from Australia and is sometimes called "kangaroo vine".
Drinking water can be obtained by cutting the stems and letting them hang.
Photo: Arria Belli, Cissus antarctica - Kangaroo Vine.
See Also
Australian Mammals
Australian Birds
Australian Reptiles
Australian Frogs
Australian Fish
Australian Spiders and Their Faces
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