Cissus glyptocarpa Thwaites, Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 62. 1858. Vitis glyptocarpa (Thwaites) M. Lawson in Fl. Brit. India 1: 645. 1875.

Herbaceous vines; branches slender, quadrangular, 4-winged, glabrous; tendrils slender, forked. Leaves ovate, 4-11 x 4-7 cm, acuminate at apex, truncate to subcordate at base, distantly spinous-serrate at margins; glabrous with minute raphides, pale green; petioles 3-6 cm long, quadrangular. Inflorescences umbellate cymes, ca 4 cm long, glabrous; peduncles 1-3.5 cm long. Flowers ca 2.5 mm long, glabrous; pedicels 2-3 mm long. Calyx saucer-shaped, subtruncate. Petals oblong-ovate, ca 2 x 1 mm, acute, slightly hooded. Stamens ca 1.5 mm long; anthers oblong. Disc 4-lobed, enclosing ovary. Ovary ca 1.2 mm across; style stout; stigma minute. Berries oblique-pyriform, ca 5 mm across, purple, 1-seeded. Seeds obtriangular; 5- 7 x 4-5 mm, adaxial side with a longitudinal ridge and a linear shallow groove on either side; abaxial side with 3 longitudinal ridges, transversely rugose.

Fl. & Fr. : Apr. - Oct.

Distrib. India: Western Ghats, between 300-1100 m. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Sri Lanka.

Notes. This species is characterised by winged branches, conspicuously reticulate seeds and minute raphides on the leaves.

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