Woody vine, high-climbing by branched tendrils tipped with adhesive disks. Leaves long-petioled, palmately compound. Leaflets usually 5 (3-7), elliptic to obovate, to 15 cm (6 in) long and 8 cm (3 in) wide, acuminate, coarsely serrate above the middle of the blade, glabrous and dull green above, paler and sometimes pubescent below. Inflorescence a panicle of cymes. Flowers small, numerous, yellowish-green, blooming in late Spring or early Summer. Fruits black or dark blue drupes, globose, 5-9 mm (0.2-0.4 in) in diameter, with 1-3 seeds.

Aperient, alterative, emetic, expectorant and tonic (bark and fresh young shoots); aperient, astringent and diuretic (tea made from the leaves); astringent, diaphoretic and diuretic (shoot extract)

Oklahoma Biological Survey

A hot decoction of bark and fresh young shoots can be used as a poultice to help reduce swellings. A tea made from the plant is used in the treatment of jaundice. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of gonorrhoea and diarrhoea. The fruit is useful in treating fevers. The shoot extract is indicated for treating alcoholism, bronchosis, cancer, corns, dermatosis, diarrhea, dropsy, dysmenorrhea, dyspepsia, dysuria, fever, gonorrhea, jaundice, Poison Ivy, swellings, warts and water retention.

James A Duke and Maryl Fulton. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs - 2nd Edition, P: 755, CRC Press July 2002.