About Causonis japonica (Thunb. ex Murray) Raf.
Causonis japonica is a perennial herbaceous vine. It has compound, alternately branching leaves, with tendrils that grow opposite each leaf. Each leaf is made up of 5 leaflets with dentate margins; the lower surface of the leaves is white. The leaflets are arranged in a semi-palmate pattern, consisting of two pairs of two leaflets, plus one single leaflet with a longer stem located at the center. This vine flowers in late summer, and its red, white, and yellow flowers develop in umbels. After flowering, it produces grape-like berries that contain 2-4 seeds. In South Korea, this species flowers in July and August, and its fruit ripens between September and November. In the southern hemisphere, specifically in Australia's Northern Territory, it flowers and fruits in October. Causonis japonica may be confused with Virginia creeper, as both have leaves with five toothed leaflets. However, none of the leaflets of Virginia creeper have a petiolule – the stem that connects a leaflet to the main leaf stem. This vine grows on the edges of rainforests.
