Clematicissus opaca

Clematicissus opaca, called small-leaf grape, pepper vine, small-leaved water vine, yaloone and wappo wappo, is a small vine endemic to Australia. Pepper vine is naturally found in rocky locales in monsoon forest, littoral rainforest and open forest, and is occasionally grown as a garden plant. The plant is primarily restricted to coastal and sub-coastal regions, although it does occur inland, west of the Great Dividing Range, in central New South Wales.[1][2]

Clematicissus opaca
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Vitales
Family: Vitaceae
Genus: Clematicissus
Species:
C. opaca
Binomial name
Clematicissus opaca
(F.Muell.) Jackes & Rossetto
Synonyms

Cissus opaca F.Muell.

Clematicissus opaca is a relatively small vine, with stems of 6 metres or less. The leaves are palmate, with the central leaflets larger than the lateral. Leaf shape and size is highly variable, both between plants and on individual plants. Lafves may have as few as three leaflets or as many as seven. Leaflets may be sessile or attached via a petiole. Leaflets may be elliptical, ovate or narrow lanceolate. Leaf margins may be entire or toothed.[3][4]

Clematicissus opaca was once classified as Cissus opaca, however a combination of genetic and morphological features led to it being placed within the genus Clematicissus.[1][3] As with the closely related Cissus, the vines climb by means of tendrils produced opposite each leaf. Minute flowers are produced on inflorescences that arise from branches of these tendrils. Flowers are followed by globular, black fruit, approximately 15 mm in diameter. These fruit are edible, though not especially palatable, and were occasionally used as food by Aborigines.[5][6]

Clematicissus opaca produces tuberous roots, from which the plants can resprout following fire or grazing. These roots were used as food by Aboriginal Australians.[5]

Flowers

References
  1. Hyland, B. P. M.; Whiffin, T.; Zich, F. A.; et al. (Dec 2010). "Factsheet – Clematicissus opaca". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants (6.1, online version RFK 6.1 ed.). Cairns, Australia: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), through its Division of Plant Industry; the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research; the Australian Tropical Herbarium, James Cook University. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  2. "Clematicissus opaca (F.Muell.) Jackes & Rossetto Pepper Vine" (Website at bie.ala.org.au/species/Clematicissus+opaca). Atlas of Living Australia. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  3. Jackes, Betsy R.; Rossetto, Maurizio (2006). "A new combination in Clematicissus Planch. (Vitaceae)" (PDF). Telopea. 11 (3): 390–391. doi:10.7751/telopea20065735. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 March 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  4. Harden, Gwen J.; Murray, Louisa (30 March 2009). "Clematicissus opaca – New South Wales Flora Online". PlantNET – The Plant Information Network System. 2.0. Sydney, Australia: The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  5. "Cissus opaca (Vitaceae); Small-leaved water vine". Brisbane Rainforest Plants; Brisbane Rainforest Action & Information Network. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  6. Cissus Native Grapes. Survival.org.au
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