General description:- Shrubs, usually diffuse and climbing by means of leaf-opposed tendrils.
Leaves:- Alternate, stipulate, usually palmately lobed or divided.
Flowers:- Small, actinomorphic, in terminal or leaf opposed cymes or panicles. Sepals 5, united; petals 5, free or united distally; stamens 5, antepetalous. Ovary superior,2-locular; style and stigma 1.
Fruit:- A berry with 2-4 seeds.
PARTHENOCISSUS
General description:- Climbing perennial.
Leaves:- Digitate or simple. A tendril or inflorescence present at every node.
Flowers:- Petals free, patent or deflexed, persistent for at least a short time after anthesis. Disc adnate to base of ovary and not visible as a distinct structure.
Fruit:- Berry bluish-black, usually pruinose.
Key features:-
1) Leaves simple or digitate.
2) Bark not peeling off in shreds.
3) Discs merged in base of ovary.
4) Petals free, patent, persisting for at least a short time after anthesis.