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Summary
Also known as Devil's Backbone, Adamant Creeper, and Pirandai, Veldt Grape or Cissus quadrangularis is a deciduous, succulent, climbing perennial plant that reaches up to 3 m long. The leaves are toothed and trilobe, and occur only on the nodes of young shoots. The small green or yellow flowers form into clusters. The fruit is red to black and round. The plant is tolerant to drought and can be used for xeriscaping. It is grown from stem cuttings. Medicinally, it is used in the treatment of asthma, hemorrhoids, wounds, broken bones, boils, burns, rheumatic pains, and indigestion. The young stems are cooked. The leaves and young shoots are used in the preparation of curries and poppadoms. The fruits are eaten and the seeds are used for cooking oil. Ash of the plant is used as a substitute for baking powder.
Physical Characteristics
Cissus quadrangularis is an evergreen Climber growing to 5 m (16ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Cissus tetragona Harv. Vitis quadrangularis (L.) Wall. ex Wight & Arn. Vitis succulenta Galpin
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Shoots Stem
Edible Uses:
Young green stems - cooked[ 310 ]. Usually fried or curried[ 310 ]. The leaves and young shoots are used in the preparation of poppadoms and curries[ 301 ]. Fruit[ 301 ]. The ash of the plant is used as a substitute for baking powder[ 310 ].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Analgesic Anthelmintic Antiasthmatic Antifungal Antihaemorrhoidal Antirheumatic Poultice
An infusion of the plant is antifungal and anthelmintic[ 317 ]. The pulped stem is given in the treatment of asthma; is used as an alterative in cases of amenorrhoea; and is given in the treatment of haemorrhoids[ 310 ]. The leaves or young stems are analgesic and also speed the rate of healing[ 646 ]. They are crushed and applied as a poultice to ease the pain of broken bones; for the maturation of boils; to cure wounds and burns; to ease the pain of rheumatic joints; and also as a treatment for saddle sores on horses[ 310 ]. The powdered dry roots are used for treating indigestion[ 310 ]. The powdered root is considered to be a specific in the treatment of fractured bones[ 310 ].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Fibre Hedge Soil stabilization
Other uses rating: Low (2/5). Agroforestry Uses: The plant is sometimes grown to stabilize sand dunes[ 328 ]. The plant can be grown to form a hedge[ 310 ]. Other Uses: The stems and roots yield a strong fibre[ 317 , 646 ].
Special Uses
Hedge
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
A plant of drier to arid regions, mainly in the lowland tropics and frost-free subtropics, though it can also be found at elevations over 2,000 metres. The plant is intolerant of any frost[ 423 ]. Succeeds in full sun to light shade[ 423 ]. Succeeds in most soils but prefers a loam[ 646 ].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Layers very easily[ 423 ]. Easily grown from stem cuttings.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
DevilÕs Backbone, Adamant Creeper, and Pirandai, Veldt Grape or Cissus quadrangularis. Other Names: Edible stemmed vine, veldt grape, devil's backbone, adamant creeper, asthisamharaka, hadjod, pirandai, Asthisanhara, Chaudhari, Chodhari, Choudhari, Hadjora, Harbhanga, Harjora, Harsankari, Hasjora, Itachovani, Kaktus manjat, Kan kaw, Kand-vel, Kandra, Karsankari, Lidzambiso, Mabope, Mafumo, Mangaroli, Mangaroli, Mhais-vel, Murunjurunju, Muvengahonye, Nalleru, Nullerootigch, Patah tulang, Pirandai, Purundei codie, Renja, Renjam Itachovani, Sam-roi-taw, San chakat, Sihlonhlwane, Suncaro, Umhlafutu, Vajravalli, Vedhari, Winged treebine.
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: Oman, Saudi Arabia (southwest), Yemen TROPICAL ASIA: Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India (Andaman and Nicobar Islands (s. Andaman Islands)), Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines AFRICA: Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Chad, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Benin, Côte D‘Ivoire, Gambia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa (Limpopo, Mpumalanga)
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
None Known
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
L.
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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Subject : Cissus quadrangularis
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