| Veldt Grape |
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Botanical name: Cissus quadrangularis Family: Vitaceae (Grape family)
Synonyms: Cissus quadrangula, Cissus tetraptera, Vitis quadrangularis
Synonyms: Cissus quadrangula, Cissus tetraptera, Vitis quadrangularis
Veldt Grape is a perennial shrub reaching a height
of 1.5 m and has quadrangular-sectioned branches with internodes 8 to
10 cm long and 1.2 to 1.5 cm wide. Along each angle is a leathery edge
(wing). Toothed trilobe leaves 2 to 5 cm wide appear at the nodes. Each
has a tendril emerging from the opposite side of the node. Racemes of
small white, yellowish, or greenish flowers; globular berries are red
when ripe. It is probably native to India or Sri Lanka, but is also
found in Africa, Arabia, and Southeast Asia.
Medicinal uses: 
Veldt Grape has been used as a medicinal plant since antiquity. In
siddha medicine it is considered a tonic and analgesic, and is believed
to help heal broken bones, thus its name asthisamharaka (that which
prevents the destruction of bones). It is said to have antibacterial,
antifungal, antioxidant, anthelmintic, antihemorrhoidal and analgesic
activities. It is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in
Thailand.
Veldt Grape has been used as a medicinal plant since antiquity. In
siddha medicine it is considered a tonic and analgesic, and is believed
to help heal broken bones, thus its name asthisamharaka (that which
prevents the destruction of bones). It is said to have antibacterial,
antifungal, antioxidant, anthelmintic, antihemorrhoidal and analgesic
activities. It is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in
Thailand. | Identification credit: Shailendra Patil | Photographed in Matheran, Maharashtra. |
• Is this flower misidentified? If yes,