Ampelocissus sikkimensis (M. Lawson) Planchon in J. Vigne Amer. 8: 375. 1884 & in DC., Monogr. Phan. 5: 371. 1887. Vitis sikkimensis M. Lawson in Fl. Brit. India 1: 650. 1875.

Slender, climbing or trailing shrubs; branches terete, glabrous. Leaves simple, orbicular-ovate, acute to acuminate at apex, 14-32 x 10-26 cm, rounded- cordate at base, cuspidate-denticulate at margins, membranous, glabrous; petioles 5-9 cm long. Inflorescences umbellate-cymose, glabrous or pubescent; peduncles 3-10 cm long; tendrils forked; primary branch of inflorescence ca 2.5 cm long. Calyx 5-notched, glabrous or pubescent. Petals oblong-ovate, ca 1.8 x 1 mm, slightly hooded. Disc covering about half of ovary. Ovary ca 1 mm across, glabrous. Berries obovoid, ca 6 mm across, 2-4-seeded. Seeds ellipsoid- obovoid, ca 5 x 2.5 mm; adaxial surface with a broad longitudinal ridge; abaxial surface with a spathulate chalazal knot, otherwise almost smooth, shiny.

Fl. & Fr. : July - Oct.

Distrib. India: Subtropical forests of eastern part between 600-1500 m. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim, Mizoram and Meghalaya.

Nepal.

Uses. Lepchas use it in the treatment of foot and mouth disease of cattle.

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