menispermum

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A genus of dicotyledonous polypetalous plants, type of natural order Menispermaceæ the moonseed family, and belonging to the tribe Cocculeæ, characterized by having the embryo horseshoe shaped, and by having from twelve to an indefinite number of stamens. They are climbing plants, with partially peltate, palmately lobed or angled leaves, flowers in panicles, and the fruit a compressed drupe. There are 2 species—M. Canadense, the Canadian moonseed, native of North America, and M. Dauricum. indigenous to the temperate parts of eastern Asia. The former is a desirable arbor-vine, though its flowers are inconspicuous. Its fruit is black with a bloom, resembling small grapes.
2. n. [lowercase] The pharmaeopœial name of the rhizome and rootlets of Menispermum Canadense. It is little used in medicine, and seems inert. Also called Texas sarsaparilla.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. climbing herbs