Common Name: South Indian treebine. Tamil Name: Cempirantai, Mutainari
South Indian Treebine is a perennial climber native to the Indian Sub-continent. This climber is commonly seen in dry forest ranges of Western Ghats area. The plant emits a sulphuris hue, and the sap can induce allergic itch on the skin. The plant climbs around with the help of simple tendrils. The leaves are simple alternatively arranged; leaves are five angled the lobes of the leaf in an acute point; the leaf base is cordate. The entire plant is velvety and pubescent. The leaf stalk and leaf measure around 1.4 cm and 5 cm respectively. The inflorescence is the form of an axillary umbellate cymes. The calyx measure 2 mm and is pubescent. The flowers are yellow in color and have 4 petals and 4 stamens. The fruit is in the form of a berry which turn from green to purple color on maturity. The berry contains a single seed. South Indian treebine is a much valued plant in traditional Indian system of medicine.
