Cissus umbellata Loureiro, Fl. Cochinch. 1: 84. 1790; Strychnos paniculata Champion ex Bentham.

Lianas to 10 m. Branchlets glabrous. Petiole 4--6 mm; leaf blade 4--9 X 2--3.5 cm, ovate to narrowly elliptic, leathery, glabrous, base obtuse, apex acute to rounded, basal veins 3--7. Thyrses terminal or axillary, 6--12 cm; peduncle pubescent. Flowers 4(or 5)-merous. Pedicel 1--4 mm, pubescent. Calyx lobes broadly ovate, ca. 1 X 1 mm, outside pubescent. Corolla campanulate, ca. 4 mm, outside glabrous; tube 0.5--1 mm, mouth pubescent; lobes narrowly oblong, 1.5--3 mm. Stamens inserted at corolla mouth, exserted; filaments ca. 1.5 mm; anthers narrowly ovate, ca. 1 mm, cordate, base bearded. Ovary ovoid, ca. 3 mm, glabrous or apically with shaggy hairs. Style 2.5--3 mm; stigma capitate. Berries globose, ca. 1.2 cm in diam., 1--3-seeded. Seeds pale yellowish gray, orbicular, ca. 7 mm, covered with very fine sericeous hairs. Fl. Mar-Jun.

The seeds and roots are poisonous. They contain the poisonous alkaloids strychnine and brucine.

Forests and thickets in mountains; 200--500 m. S Guangdong, SE Guangxi, Hainan [Vietnam]