Family: Menispermaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1031 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Cissampelos
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Tropics & Subtropics
Description
Velvetleaf, scientifically known as Cissampelos pareira, is a notable plant belonging to the Menispermaceae family. First described in Carl Linnaeus’s Species Plantarum in 1753, this versatile species has charmed botanists and plant enthusiasts alike for centuries.
One of the remarkable traits of Velvetleaf is its adaptability, which allows it to flourish in both tropical and subtropical climates. Its natural habitat spans a wide geographical range, contributing to its reputation as a resilient and hardy plant.
The foliage of Velvetleaf is what gives it its common name. The leaves are heart-shaped and covered in a fine, velvety texture that is soft to the touch. This unique coating not only provides a tactile experience but also a distinctive visual appeal that sets it apart from other plants in the Menispermaceae family.
In addition to its aesthetic charm, Velvetleaf has been recognized for various uses in traditional medicine across different cultures. Historically, parts of this plant have been utilized for their medicinal properties, often being incorporated into remedies to address a multitude of ailments.
Despite its widespread use and recognition, Velvetleaf continues to be a subject of interest in ongoing botanical research, particularly due to its robust nature and the potential health benefits it offers. Whether appreciated for its beauty or its utility, Cissampelos pareira holds a treasured spot in the diverse world of plant life.
Common Names
Por: orelha-de-onça, parreira
Eng: velvetleaf
En: Velvetleaf
Zh: 锡生藤
Ml: മലതാങ്ങി
Ne: गुज्जरगानो
Or: ଅକାନବିନ୍ଧି
Pt: Orelha-de-onça, Parreira
Es: Bejuco Azul, Venadera
Th: กรุงเขมา
Synonyms
- Cissampelos acuminata (Benth.)
- Cissampelos canescens (Miq.)
- Cissampelos ellenbeckii (Diels)
- Cissampelos tamoides (Willd. ex DC.)
- Cissampelos delicatula (Miers)
- Cissampelos bojeriana (Miers)
- Cissampelos cordifolia (Bojer)
- Cocculus membranaceus (Wall.)
- Cissampelos pareira var. racemiflora (Eichler)
- Cissampelos pareira var. peltata (Scheff.)
- Cissampelos salzmannii (Turcz.)
- Cissampelos pareira var. gardneri (Diels)
- Cissampelos pareira var. laevis (Diels)
- Cissampelos tomentosa (DC.)
- Cyclea madagascariensis ((Miers) Baill.)
- Cissampelos pareira var. australis ((A.St.-Hil.) Diels)
- Cissampelos pareira var. wildei (Benv.)
- Cissampelos gracilis (A.St.-Hil.)
- Cissampelos discolor (A.Gray)
- Cissampelos caapeba (L.)
- Cissampelos glaucescens (Triana & Planch.)
- Cissampelos diffusa (Miers)
- Cissampelos pata (Roxb. ex Wight & Arn.)
- Cissampelos reticulata (Borhidi)
- Cissampelos pareira var. tamoides ((Willd. ex DC.) Diels)
- Cissampelos subpeltata (Thwaites)
- Cissampelos pareira subvar. madagascariensis ((Miers) Engl.)
- Pericampylus membranaceus (Miers)
- Cissampelos limbata (Miers)
- Cissampelos auriculata (Miers)
- Cissampelos pareira subvar. crassifolia (Engl.)
- Cissampelos longipes (Miers)
- Cissampelos haenkeana (C.Presl)
- Cissampelos convolvulacea (Willd.)
- Cissampelos argentea (Kunth)
- Cissampelos madagascariensis ((Baill.) Diels)
- Cissampelos eriocarpa (Triana & Planch.)
- Cissampelos consociata (Miers)
- Cissampelos pareira subvar. wakefieldii (Engl.)
- Cissampelos kohautiana (C.Presl)
- Cissampelos cumingiana (Turcz.)
- Cissampelos boivinii (Baill.)
- Cissampelos nepalensis (Rhodes)
- Cissampelos microcarpa (DC.)
- Cissampelos pareira f. reniformis (Chodat & Hassl.)
- Cissampelos pannosa (Turcz.)
- Cissampelos pareiroides (DC.)
- Cissampelos mauritiana (Thouars)
- Cissampelos pareira var. mauritiana ((Thouars) Baker)
- Cissampelos pareira var. haenkeana ((C.Presl) Diels)
- Cissampelos myriocarpa (Triana & Planch.)
- Cissampelos monoica (A.St.-Hil.)
- Cissampelos pareira var. nephrophylla ((Bojer) Diels)
- Cissampelos pareira var. monoica ((A.St.-Hil.) Eichler)
- Cissampelos pareira var. caapeba ((L.) Eichler)
- Cissampelos pareira f. emarginatomucronata (Chodat & Hassl.)
- Cissampelos violifolia (Rusby)
- Cissampelos tetrandra (Roxb.)
- Cissampelos hirsutissima (C.Presl)
- Cissampelos heterophylla (DC.)
- Cissampelos eriantha (Miers)
- Cissampelos cocculus (Poir.)
- Cissampelos elata (Miers)
- Cissampelos orinocensis (Kunth)
- Cissampelos diversa (Miers)
- Cissampelos discolor var. cardiophylla (A.Gray)
- Dissopetalum mauritianum ((Thouars) Miers)
- Cissampelos testudinum (Miers)
- Cissampelos nephrophylla (Bojer)
- Cissampelos perrieri (Diels)
- Cissampelos obtecta (Wall. ex Miers)
- Cissampelos poilanei (Gagnep.)
- Cissampelos pareira var. typica (Diels)
- Cissampelos subreniformis (Triana & Planch.)
- Cissampelos littoralis var. minutiflora (A.St.-Hil. & Tul.)
- Cissampelos pilgeri (Diels)
- Cissampelos pareira var. hirsuta ((Buch.-Ham. ex DC.) Forman)
- Stephania convolvulacea (Miers)
- Cissampelos littoralis (A.St.-Hil.)
- Cissampelos grallatoria (Miers)
- Cissampelos australis (A.St.-Hil.)
- Cissampelos guayaquilensis (Kunth)
- Cissampelos benthamiana (Miers)
- Cissampelos hederacea (Miers)
- Cissampelos hirsuta (Buch.-Ham. ex DC.)
- Cissampelos pareira subvar. usambarensis (Engl.)
Distribution
- Aldabra (native)
- Andaman Is. (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Aruba (native)
- Assam (native)
- Bahamas (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Belize (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Borneo (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- Cayman Is. (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Comoros (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Florida (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Galápagos (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- India (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Kenya (native)
- Laos (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Madagascar (native)
- Maluku (native)
- Mauritius (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Nepal (native)
- Netherlands Antilles (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Nicobar Is. (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Peru (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Réunion (native)
- Somalia (native)
- Southwest Caribbean (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Venezuelan Antilles (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Habit
Taken Nov 25, 2004 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 25, 2004 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 25, 2004 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)
Taken Oct 18, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jun 30, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 18, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 23, 2019 by Dr. licha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 23, 2019 by Dr. licha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 18, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 7, 1956 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 11, 1981 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 25, 2004 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 29, 2010 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Nov 23, 2019 by Dr. licha (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jul 10, 2022 by Hemanth Kumar (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 5, 2020 by Recinos Abner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 7, 2012 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)
Fruit
Taken Jul 29, 2010 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jun 1, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Oct 22, 2014 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:59219-2)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3033937)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cissampelos pareira L.)