Cissus tiliacea

Cissus tiliacea is part of the grape family, Vitaceae. Its home range runs from Mexico into Central America. It grows in tropical areas with a clear dry season. The same species also has the name Cissus tuberosa. An account from Mexico records it on rocky sites in Puebla. There, its vines branch out over rocks and nearby plants. It has a fleshy base that lasts, called a caudex.

The caudex gives this plant much of its shape. Its swollen, grey-green stems can reach 0.8 feet (0.25 m) across. They twist and form uneven branches with swollen nodes. These nodes are joints along the stems. In the wild, the caudex tends to lie flat. Growers can train it upward on a trellis or other support. Long, thin vines grow from this thick base each season. Their tendrils grip nearby plants while the stems spread. The vines also grow aerial roots, or roots above ground.

Green leaves grow at the nodes along the vines. They are deeply divided and palmate, shaped like a hand. The flowers are small and greenish. Small groups of fruit may follow them. The account does not say when the plant blooms. Nor does it give details on uses for the fruit. Drought makes the seasonal vines die back. The large caudex stays when the plant loses this top growth. Much of the vine growth also dries out in autumn. Swollen nodes near the soil can root and make new plants.

Warmth, long days, rich soil and enough moisture help strong growth. In gardens, vines reach about 5 feet (1.5 m) each season. In good conditions, they may reach 16.4 feet (5 m). These lengths refer to vines, not the plant's upright height. The caudex grows longer and wider while the plant grows. Keep it cooler and drier in winter to help it go dormant. The supplied evidence gives no frost limit or hardiness zone.

This plant can spread over and around its pot. Pruning keeps vines short but slows growth of the caudex. Stems root where they touch soil, making new plants easy to grow. This rooting habit also helps explain its strong spread. Its thick base and stems suit display in a pot with support. Growers can train the stems on that support. The evidence does not show whether it is invasive outside gardens. It names no pests or diseases for this species. Nor does it name edible parts or report findings on toxicity. These gaps do not mean the plant is safe to eat.