Duration: Perennial

Nativity: Native

Lifeform: Vine

General: Woody, perennial vine, stems trailing or climbing, arising from large tubers, rank-smelling.

Leaves: Palmately tri-lobed, fleshy or semi-succulent, persistent.

Flowers: Four-merous, the petals spreading at anthesis.

Fruits: Black or deep purple, juicy, globose berry with 1-4 seeds.

Ecology: Found in agricultural areas and escaped in waste areas, roadsides, river banks, upland slopes, sandy washes; flowering November-May.

Distribution: se AZ, s NM, w TX, c to s MX.

Notes: The tubers of this plant are considered poisonous, and contact with the plant can cause dermatitis in those with sensitive skin. Distinguished by its often woody vine life form and spreading habit resembling a grape vine but this species has fleshy/ semi-succulent leaves and dark blue berries.

Ethnobotany: unknown

Etymology: Cissus is from the Greek -ivy- and trifoliata refers to the trifoliate leaves.

Synonyms: Cissus incisa, Sicyos trifoliatus

Editor: LCrumbacher, 2011, FSCoburn, 2014