''Menispermum'' (moonseed) is a small
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
deciduous
In the fields of horticulture and Botany, the term ''deciduous'' () means "falling off at maturity" and "tending to fall off", in reference to trees and shrubs that seasonally shed leaves, usually in the autumn; to the shedding of petals, aft ...
climbing
woody vines in the moonseed family (
Menispermaceae
Menispermaceae (botanical Latin: 'moonseed family' from Greek ''mene'' 'crescent moon' and ''sperma'' 'seed') is a family of flowering plants. The alkaloid tubocurarine, a neuromuscular blocker and the active ingredient in the 'tube curare' form ...
). Plants in this genus have small
dioecious
Dioecy (; ; adj. dioecious , ) is a characteristic of a species, meaning that it has distinct individual organisms (unisexual) that produce male or female gametes, either directly (in animals) or indirectly (in seed plants). Dioecious reproductio ...
flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the division Angiospermae). The biological function of a flower is to facilitate reproduction, usually by providing a mechani ...
s, and clusters of small
grape
A grape is a fruit, botanically a berry, of the deciduous woody vines of the flowering plant genus ''Vitis''. Grapes are a non- climacteric type of fruit, generally occurring in clusters.
The cultivation of grapes began perhaps 8,000 years ago, ...
-like
drupe
In botany, a drupe (or stone fruit) is an indehiscent fruit in which an outer fleshy part (exocarp, or skin, and mesocarp, or flesh) surrounds a single shell (the ''pit'', ''stone'', or '' pyrena'') of hardened endocarp with a seed (''kernel'') ...
s. The name, moonseed, comes from the shape of the
seed
A seed is an embryonic plant enclosed in a protective outer covering, along with a food reserve. The formation of the seed is a part of the process of reproduction in seed plants, the spermatophytes, including the gymnosperm and angiospe ...
, which resembles a crescent
moon
The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. It is the fifth largest satellite in the Solar System and the largest and most massive relative to its parent planet, with a diameter about one-quarter that of Earth (comparable to the width of ...
. The word ''Menispermum'' is derived from the
Greek
Greek may refer to:
Greece
Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe:
*Greeks, an ethnic group.
*Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family.
**Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...
words μήν (''mēn''), meaning (crescent) moon, and σπέρμα (''sperma'') meaning seed. The common name moonseed is also applied to some other species in the related genus ''
Cocculus
''Cocculus'' is a genus of 11 species of woody vines and shrubs, native to warm temperate to tropical regions of North America, Asia and Africa. The common name moonseed is also used for the closely related genus '' Menispermum''.
Selected s ...
''.
Species
There are only two recognised
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
in the genus ''Menispermum''
these being :
* ''
Menispermum canadense
''Menispermum canadense'', the Canadian moonseed, common moonseed, or yellow parilla, is a flowering plant in the family Menispermaceae, native to eastern North America, from southern Canada south to northern Florida, and from the Atlantic coas ...
''
L. – Canadian moonseed, Ghost grape (northeastern
North America
North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...
)
* ''
Menispermum dauricum
''Menispermum'' (moonseed) is a small genus of deciduous climbing woody plants, woody vines in the moonseed family (Menispermaceae). Plants in this genus have small dioecious flowers, and clusters of small grape-like drupes. The name, moonseed, c ...
''
DC. – Asian or
Daurian moonseed, named for the homeland of the
Daur, a
Mongolic people inhabiting the part of
Northeast Asia
Northeast Asia or Northeastern Asia is a geographical subregion of Asia; its northeastern landmass and islands are bounded by the Pacific Ocean.
The term Northeast Asia was popularized during the 1930s by American historian and political scienti ...
to which the plant is native.
Common name in Chinese : 蝙蝠葛 ( bian fu ge ).
Formerly placed here
* ''
Anamirta cocculus
''Anamirta cocculus'' ( mr, काकमारी) is a Southeast Asian and Indian climbing plant. Its fruit is the source of picrotoxin, a poisonous compound with stimulant properties.
The plant is large-stemmed (up to 10 cm in diameter) ...
''
(L.) Wight & Arn. (as ''M. cocculus''
L.)
* ''
Calycocarpum lyonii''
(Pursh) A.Gray (as ''M. lyonii''
Pursh)
* ''
Cocculus carolinus
''Cocculus carolinus'', commonly called the Carolina coralbead, or snailseed, or Margil's Vine, is a perennial vine of the moonseed family (Cocculus). It is native to North America, where it is found in Mexico and in several states in the United ...
''
(L.) DC. (as ''M. carolinum''
L.)
* ''
Cocculus hirsutus
''Cocculus hirsutus'' is a tropical, invasive creeper with the common name broom creeper or ''Patalgarudi'' (Sanskrit). It is native to India, Pakistan, and tropical Africa. It is a vine climbing up to , with white to yellowish flowers and dark p ...
''
(L.) Diels (as ''M. hirsutum''
L.)
* ''
Cocculus orbiculatus
''Cocculus orbiculatus'', the queen coralbead, is a species of woody vine
A vine (Latin ''vīnea'' "grapevine", "vineyard", from ''vīnum'' "wine") is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent (that is, climbing) stems, lianas ...
''
(L.) DC. (as ''M. trilobum''
Thunb.)
* ''
Jateorhiza palmata
''Jateorhiza palmata'' (calumba) is a perennial climbing plant from East Africa. It contains isoquinoline alkaloids and is used mainly as a bitter tonic especially in cases of anorexia nervosa. It contains no tannins, hence it can be safely use ...
''
(Lam.) Miers (as ''M. columba''
Roxb. or ''M. palmatum''
Lam.)
* ''
Pericampylus glaucus
''Pericampylus'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Menispermaceae.
Its native range is Tropical and Temperate Asia.
Species:
* ''Pericampylus glaucus'' (Lam.) Merr.
* ''Pericampylus macrophyllus
''Pericampylus'' is a ge ...
''
(Lam.) Merr. (as ''M. glaucum''
Lam.)
* ''
Sinomenium acutum
''Sinomenium'' is a genus of plant in family Menispermaceae first described as a genus in 1910. It contains only one known species, ''Sinomenium acutum'', native to China, northern India, Nepal, Japan, northern Thailand, and also Korea.
Fossil r ...
''
(Thunb.) Rehder & E.H.Wilson (as ''M. acutum''
Thunb.)
* ''
Tinospora cordifolia
''Tinospora cordifolia'' (common names gurjo, heart-leaved moonseed, guduchi or giloy) is a herbaceous vine of the family Menispermaceae indigenous to tropical regions of the Indian subcontinent. It has been used in Ayurveda to treat various diso ...
''
(Willd.) Hook.f. & Thomson (as ''M. cordifolium''
Willd.)
* ''
Tinospora crispa''
(L.) Hook. f. & Thomson (as ''M. crispum''
L.)
Toxicity
All parts of these plants are known to be
poisonous
Poison is a chemical substance that has a detrimental effect to life. The term is used in a wide range of scientific fields and industries, where it is often specifically defined. It may also be applied colloquially or figuratively, with a broa ...
, containing
dauricine
Dauricine is a plant metabolite, chemically classified as a phenol, an aromatic ether, and an isoquinoline alkaloid. It has been isolated from the Asian vine Menispermum ''dauricum'', commonly known as Asian moonseed, and the North American vine ...
and related
isoquinoline
Isoquinoline is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound. It is a structural isomer of quinoline. Isoquinoline and quinoline are benzopyridines, which are composed of a benzene ring fused to a pyridine ring. In a broader sense, the term isoquin ...
alkaloid
Alkaloids are a class of basic, naturally occurring organic compounds that contain at least one nitrogen atom. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Some synthetic compounds of similar ...
s, and children have died from eating the fruits. Dauricine inhibits cardiac K+ channels thus causing arrhythmia. Other symptoms caused by consumption of the grape-like fruits include excitation of the CNS, leading to seizures and neuromuscular arrest.
[Wink, Michael and Van Wyk, Ben-Erik ''Mind-Altering and Poisonous Plants of the World : A Scientifically Accurate Guide to 1,200 Toxic and Intoxicating Plants'' pub. Timber Press 2008 ]
First aid in cases of Menispermum poisoning involves the induction of vomiting, followed by the administration of medicinal charcoal and sodium sulphate. Clinical therapy : gastric lavage ( possibly with 0.1% potassium permanganate ) instillation of medicinal charcoal and sodium sulphate; electrolyte substitution, control of acidosis with sodium bicarbonate ( pH of urine 7.5 ). In case of spasms, intravenous administration of diazepam. Provision of intubation and oxygen respiration in case of respiratory arrest or paralysis. Checking of diuresis and kidney function.
[
]
Medicinal Use
''Menispermum dauricum'' has been used to treat skin disorders, rheumatism, and cervical cancer.
''Menispermum canadense
''Menispermum canadense'', the Canadian moonseed, common moonseed, or yellow parilla, is a flowering plant in the family Menispermaceae, native to eastern North America, from southern Canada south to northern Florida, and from the Atlantic coas ...
'' has been used in herbal medicine as a tonic, laxative
Laxatives, purgatives, or aperients are substances that loosen stools and increase bowel movements. They are used to treat and prevent constipation.
Laxatives vary as to how they work and the side effects they may have. Certain stimulant, lubri ...
, dermatological
Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin.''Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.'' Random House, Inc. 2001. Page 537. . It is a speciality with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist is a specialist medical ...
aid, venereal
Human sexual activity, human sexual practice or human sexual behaviour is the manner in which humans experience and express their sexuality. People engage in a variety of sexual acts, ranging from activities done alone (e.g., masturbation) ...
aid, and diuretic
A diuretic () is any substance that promotes diuresis, the increased production of urine. This includes forced diuresis. A diuretic tablet is sometimes colloquially called a water tablet. There are several categories of diuretics. All diuretics in ...
.Dr. Duke's Database of USDA GRIN Taxonomy: Canadian Moonseed
/ref> Yellow Medicine County
Yellow Medicine County is a county in the State of Minnesota. Its eastern border is formed by the Minnesota River. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,528. Its county seat is Granite Falls.
The Upper Sioux Indian Reservation, related ...
in Minnesota
Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...
is named after one of this plant's common names.
Plants of this species are sometimes grown as ornamentals in garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the cultivation, display, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The single feature identifying even the wildest wild garden is ''control''. The garden can incorporate both ...
s. Gardeners can propagate this plant from the division of runners or by seed.
Gallery
File:Menispermum canadense, 2015-06-02, Frick Park, 02.jpg, ''Menispermum canadense'' in flower, Frick Park, Pittsburgh
File:Menispermum dauricum (Menispermaceae) (35798833585).jpg, ''Menispermum dauricum'' in flower, Primorsky Krai, Russian Far East
Image:Menispermum canadense BB-1913.png, ''Menispermum canadense'' from Britton & Brown 1913
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1944342
Menispermaceae
Menispermaceae genera