VITACEAE

The Vitaceae or grape family comprises some 900+ species of woody climbers found in temperate and tropical regions of the world. They usually have deeply lobed opposite leaves, numerous tendrils, small flowers, and showy berries akin to grapes. The grape genus Vitis is economically valuable as fruit crops, as well as sources of wine. The only few poisonous members of the Vitaceae family belong to the genus Cayratia, with some 40+ species of tropical climbers. Of which, the pink coloured berries of Cayratia mollissima contain high concentration of calcium oxalate crystals called raphides, which can cause severe irritation when ingested. Though attractive, the berries are unpalatable to most animals except for a few species of birds, which spread its seeds. 

 

The pink berries of Cayratia mollissima is packed full of oxalate crystals. It is anything but edible!