Adenia cissampeloides is a species of flowering plant in the passionflower family, Passifloraceae. It is native to tropical Africa.[1]

Adenia cissampeloides
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Passifloraceae
Genus: Adenia
Species:
A. cissampeloides
Binomial name
Adenia cissampeloides
(Planch. ex Hook.) Harms

Description edit

Adenia cissampeloides is a woody vine that can reach up to 25 m (82 ft) in length.[2] The stems are pale green to gray green and can be spotted. The leaves have smooth edges and are punctate (marked with dots), with a cordate (heart-shaped) to truncate (square) base. A. cissampeloides is monecious: it has unisexual flowers that occur in inflorescences. Male flowers have free or connate (fused together) filaments. Fruits are capsules with one to three fruits occurring per inflorescence.[1]

Taxonomy edit

It was first described in 1849 as Modecca cissampeloides. In 1897, it was moved to the genus Adenia.[3]

Distribution and habitat edit

Adenia cissampeloides is currently found naturally in rainforests, swamps, and savannas in Africa.[2]

Uses edit

It has several different human uses from medicine to consumption. Along with several other plants, it is used in Ghana in traditional medicines as a treatment for malaria.[4] The leaves can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Adenia cissampeloides (Planch. ex Hook.) Harms". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanical Gardens Kew. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  2. ^ a b "CJB - African plant database - Detail". www.ville-ge.ch. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  3. ^ "International Plant Names Index". www.ipni.org. Retrieved 2019-11-21.
  4. ^ Annan, Kofi; Sarpong, K; Asare, C; Dickson, R; Amponsah, Ki; Gyan, B; Ofori, M; Gbedema, Sy (2012). "In vitro anti-plasmodial activity of three herbal remedies for malaria in Ghana: Adenia cissampeloides (Planch.) Harms., Termina liaivorensis A. Chev, and Elaeis guineensis Jacq". Pharmacognosy Research. 4 (4): 225–229. doi:10.4103/0974-8490.102270. ISSN 0974-8490. PMC 3510876. PMID 23225967.
  5. ^ Williamson, Jessi; Greenway, Percy James. Useful plants of Nyasaland. Edited by P.J. Greenway. Zomba, Nyasaland: Printed and published by the Govt. Printer.