# Tetrastigma

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***Tetrastigma*** is a [genus](/source/Genus) of plants in the grape family, [Vitaceae](/source/Vitaceae). The plants are [lianas](/source/Liana) that climb with [tendrils](/source/Tendril) and have palmately compound leaves. Plants are [dioecious](/source/Dioecious), with separate male and female plants; female flowers are characterized by their four-lobed stigmas.[2] The species are found in subtropical and tropical regions of [Asia](/source/Asia), [Malesia](/source/Malesia), and [Australia](/source/Australia), where they grow in primary rainforest, [gallery forest](/source/Gallery_forest) and [monsoon forest](/source/Monsoon_forest) and moister [woodland](/source/Woodland). Species of this genus are notable as being the sole hosts of [parasitic plants](/source/Parasitic_plant) in the family [Rafflesiaceae](/source/Rafflesiaceae), one of which, *[Rafflesia arnoldii](/source/Rafflesia_arnoldii)*, produces the largest single flower in the world.[3] *Tetrastigma* is the donor species for [horizontal gene transfer](/source/Horizontal_gene_transfer) to *[Sapria](/source/Sapria)* and *[Rafflesia](/source/Rafflesia)* due to multiple gene theft events.[4]

Within the Vitaceae, *Tetrastigma* has long been considered closely related to *[Cayratia](/source/Cayratia)* and *[Cyphostemma](/source/Cyphostemma)*[5] and is now placed in the [tribe](/source/Tribe_(biology)) [Cayratieae](/source/Cayratieae).

## Fossil record

A [fossil](/source/Fossil) seed fragment from the early [Miocene](/source/Miocene) of *Tetrastigma* sp., has been found in the [Czech](/source/Czech_Republic) part of the [Zittau](/source/Zittau) Basin.[6] *Tetrastigma* macrofossils have been recovered from the late [Zanclean](/source/Zanclean) stage of [Pliocene](/source/Pliocene) sites in [Pocapaglia](/source/Pocapaglia), [Italy](/source/Italy).[7]

## Etymology

*Tetrastigma* is derived from Greek and means 'four stigmas', in reference to its four-lobed stigma.[8]

## Species

As of November 2025, [Plants of the World Online](/source/Plants_of_the_World_Online) accepts the following 138 species:[1]

- *[Tetrastigma amboinense](/source/Tetrastigma_amboinense)* (Miq.) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma andamanicum](/source/Tetrastigma_andamanicum)* (King) Suess.
- *[Tetrastigma angustifolium](/source/Tetrastigma_angustifolium)* (Roxb.) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma annamense](/source/Tetrastigma_annamense)* Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma apiculatum](/source/Tetrastigma_apiculatum)* Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma aplinianum](/source/Tetrastigma_aplinianum)* (Collett & Hemsl.) Momiy.
- *[Tetrastigma articulatum](/source/Tetrastigma_articulatum)* (Miq.) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma assimile](/source/Tetrastigma_assimile)* (Kurz) C.L.Li ex Kochaiph. & Trias-Blasi
- *[Tetrastigma backanense](/source/Tetrastigma_backanense)* Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma bambusetorum](/source/Tetrastigma_bambusetorum)* Craib
- *[Tetrastigma beauvaisii](/source/Tetrastigma_beauvaisii)* Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma bracteolatum](/source/Tetrastigma_bracteolatum)* (Wall.) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma brunneum](/source/Tetrastigma_brunneum)* Merr.
- *[Tetrastigma burmanicum](/source/Tetrastigma_burmanicum)* (Collett & Hemsl.) Momiy.
- *[Tetrastigma calcicola](/source/Tetrastigma_calcicola)* Kochaiph. & Trias-Blasi
- *[Tetrastigma cambodianum](/source/Tetrastigma_cambodianum)* Pierre ex Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma campylocarpum](/source/Tetrastigma_campylocarpum)* (Kurz) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma caudatum](/source/Tetrastigma_caudatum)* Merr. & Chun
- *[Tetrastigma cauliflorum](/source/Tetrastigma_cauliflorum)* Merr.
- *[Tetrastigma ceratopetalum](/source/Tetrastigma_ceratopetalum)* C.Y.Wu
- *[Tetrastigma chapaense](/source/Tetrastigma_chapaense)* Merr.
- *[Tetrastigma clementis](/source/Tetrastigma_clementis)* Merr.
- *[Tetrastigma coriaceum](/source/Tetrastigma_coriaceum)* (DC.) Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma corniculatum](/source/Tetrastigma_corniculatum)* Merr.
- *[Tetrastigma crenatum](/source/Tetrastigma_crenatum)* Jackes
- *[Tetrastigma cruciatum](/source/Tetrastigma_cruciatum)* Craib & Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma curtisii](/source/Tetrastigma_curtisii)* (Ridl.) Suess.
- *[Tetrastigma delavayi](/source/Tetrastigma_delavayi)* Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma dichotomum](/source/Tetrastigma_dichotomum)* (Miq.) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma diepenhorstii](/source/Tetrastigma_diepenhorstii)* (Miq.) Latiff
- *[Tetrastigma dubium](/source/Tetrastigma_dubium)* (M.A.Lawson) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma eberhardtii](/source/Tetrastigma_eberhardtii)* Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma ellipticum](/source/Tetrastigma_ellipticum)* Merr.
- *[Tetrastigma enervium](/source/Tetrastigma_enervium)* Ridl.
- *[Tetrastigma erubescens](/source/Tetrastigma_erubescens)* Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma everettii](/source/Tetrastigma_everettii)* Merr.
- *[Tetrastigma formosanum](/source/Tetrastigma_formosanum)* (Hemsl.) Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma funingense](/source/Tetrastigma_funingense)* C.L.Li
- *[Tetrastigma gamblei](/source/Tetrastigma_gamblei)* B.V.Shetty & P.Singh
- *[Tetrastigma gaudichaudianum](/source/Tetrastigma_gaudichaudianum)* Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma gibbosum](/source/Tetrastigma_gibbosum)* Lauterb.
- *[Tetrastigma gilgianum](/source/Tetrastigma_gilgianum)* Lauterb.
- *[Tetrastigma harmandii](/source/Tetrastigma_harmandii)* Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma havilandii](/source/Tetrastigma_havilandii)* Ridl.
- *[Tetrastigma hemsleyanum](/source/Tetrastigma_hemsleyanum)* Diels & Gilg
- *[Tetrastigma heterophyllum](/source/Tetrastigma_heterophyllum)* Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma hookeri](/source/Tetrastigma_hookeri)* Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma hypoglaucum](/source/Tetrastigma_hypoglaucum)* Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma jaichagunii](/source/Tetrastigma_jaichagunii)* C.L.Li ex Kochaiph. & Trias-Blasi
- *[Tetrastigma jingdongense](/source/Tetrastigma_jingdongense)* C.L.Li
- *[Tetrastigma jinghongense](/source/Tetrastigma_jinghongense)* C.L.Li
- *[Tetrastigma jinxiuense](/source/Tetrastigma_jinxiuense)* C.L.Li
- *[Tetrastigma kwangsiense](/source/Tetrastigma_kwangsiense)* C.L.Li
- *[Tetrastigma laevigatum](/source/Tetrastigma_laevigatum)* (Blume) Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma lanyuense](/source/Tetrastigma_lanyuense)* C.E.Chang
- *[Tetrastigma latiffii](/source/Tetrastigma_latiffii)* Veldkamp
- *[Tetrastigma lauterbachianum](/source/Tetrastigma_lauterbachianum)* Gilg
- *[Tetrastigma laxum](/source/Tetrastigma_laxum)* Merr.
- *[Tetrastigma lenticellatum](/source/Tetrastigma_lenticellatum)* C.Y.Wu
- *[Tetrastigma leucostaphylum](/source/Tetrastigma_leucostaphylum)* (Dennst.) Alston
- *[Tetrastigma lincangense](/source/Tetrastigma_lincangense)* C.L.Li
- *[Tetrastigma lineare](/source/Tetrastigma_lineare)* W.T.Wang ex C.Y.Wu & C.L.Li
- *[Tetrastigma littorale](/source/Tetrastigma_littorale)* Merr.
- *[Tetrastigma liukiuense](/source/Tetrastigma_liukiuense)* T.Yamaz.
- *[Tetrastigma loheri](/source/Tetrastigma_loheri)* Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma longipedunculatum](/source/Tetrastigma_longipedunculatum)* C.L.Li
- *[Tetrastigma longisepalum](/source/Tetrastigma_longisepalum)* Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma macrocorymbum](/source/Tetrastigma_macrocorymbum)* Gagnep. ex J.Wen, Boggan & Turland
- *[Tetrastigma magnum](/source/Tetrastigma_magnum)* Merr.
- *[Tetrastigma megacarpum](/source/Tetrastigma_megacarpum)* Latiff
- *[Tetrastigma mindanaense](/source/Tetrastigma_mindanaense)* Merr.
- *[Tetrastigma mutabile](/source/Tetrastigma_mutabile)* (Blume) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma nilagiricum](/source/Tetrastigma_nilagiricum)* (Miq.) B.V.Shetty
- *[Tetrastigma nitens](/source/Tetrastigma_nitens)* (F.Muell.) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma obovatum](/source/Tetrastigma_obovatum)* Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma obtectum](/source/Tetrastigma_obtectum)* (Wall. ex M.A.Lawson) Planch. ex Franch.
- *[Tetrastigma oliviforme](/source/Tetrastigma_oliviforme)* Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma pachyphyllum](/source/Tetrastigma_pachyphyllum)* (Hemsl.) Chun
- *[Tetrastigma papillatum](/source/Tetrastigma_papillatum)* (Hance) C.Y.Wu
- *[Tetrastigma papillosum](/source/Tetrastigma_papillosum)* (Blume) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma papuanum](/source/Tetrastigma_papuanum)* (Miq.) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma pedunculare](/source/Tetrastigma_pedunculare)* (Wall. ex M.A.Lawson) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma pergamaceum](/source/Tetrastigma_pergamaceum)* (Blume) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma petraeum](/source/Tetrastigma_petraeum)* Jackes
- *[Tetrastigma petrophilum](/source/Tetrastigma_petrophilum)* Lauterb.
- *[Tetrastigma pilosum](/source/Tetrastigma_pilosum)* C.L.Li
- *[Tetrastigma planicaule](/source/Tetrastigma_planicaule)* (Hook.f.) Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma poilanei](/source/Tetrastigma_poilanei)* Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma pseudocruciatum](/source/Tetrastigma_pseudocruciatum)* C.L.Li
- *[Tetrastigma pubiflorum](/source/Tetrastigma_pubiflorum)* (Miq.) Suess.
- *[Tetrastigma pubinerve](/source/Tetrastigma_pubinerve)* Merr. & Chun
- *[Tetrastigma pullei](/source/Tetrastigma_pullei)* Lauterb.
- *[Tetrastigma pycnanthum](/source/Tetrastigma_pycnanthum)* (Collett & Hemsl.) P.Singh & B.V.Shetty
- *[Tetrastigma pyriforme](/source/Tetrastigma_pyriforme)* Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma quadrangulum](/source/Tetrastigma_quadrangulum)* Gagnep. & Craib
- *[Tetrastigma quadridens](/source/Tetrastigma_quadridens)* Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma rafflesiae](/source/Tetrastigma_rafflesiae)* (Miq.) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma ramentaceum](/source/Tetrastigma_ramentaceum)* Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma retinervium](/source/Tetrastigma_retinervium)* Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma robinsonii](/source/Tetrastigma_robinsonii)* Merr.
- *[Tetrastigma robustum](/source/Tetrastigma_robustum)* Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma rumicispermum](/source/Tetrastigma_rumicispermum)* (M.A.Lawson) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma rupestre](/source/Tetrastigma_rupestre)* Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma scariosum](/source/Tetrastigma_scariosum)* (Blume) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma schlechteri](/source/Tetrastigma_schlechteri)* Lauterb.
- *[Tetrastigma schraderi-montis](/source/Tetrastigma_schraderi-montis)* Lauterb.
- *[Tetrastigma scortechinii](/source/Tetrastigma_scortechinii)* (King) Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma sepulchrei](/source/Tetrastigma_sepulchrei)* Merr.
- *[Tetrastigma serrulatum](/source/Tetrastigma_serrulatum)* (Roxb.) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma sessilifolium](/source/Tetrastigma_sessilifolium)* Lauterb.
- *[Tetrastigma siamense](/source/Tetrastigma_siamense)* Gagnep. & Craib
- *[Tetrastigma sichouense](/source/Tetrastigma_sichouense)* C.L.Li
- *[Tetrastigma silvestrei](/source/Tetrastigma_silvestrei)* Elmer ex J.Wen & Boggan
- *[Tetrastigma simplicifolia](/source/Tetrastigma_simplicifolia)* (Merr.) J.Wen & Boggan
- *[Tetrastigma steenisii](/source/Tetrastigma_steenisii)* Latiff
- *[Tetrastigma subglobosum](/source/Tetrastigma_subglobosum)* Latiff & Fatiha
- *[Tetrastigma subsuberosum](/source/Tetrastigma_subsuberosum)* Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma subtetragonum](/source/Tetrastigma_subtetragonum)* C.L.Li
- *[Tetrastigma sulcatum](/source/Tetrastigma_sulcatum)* (M.A.Lawson) Gamble
- *[Tetrastigma taeniatum](/source/Tetrastigma_taeniatum)* C.L.Li
- *[Tetrastigma tamilnadense](/source/Tetrastigma_tamilnadense)* N.Balach. & K.Ravik.
- *[Tetrastigma tavoyanum](/source/Tetrastigma_tavoyanum)* Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma tetragynum](/source/Tetrastigma_tetragynum)* (Miq.) Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma thomsonianum](/source/Tetrastigma_thomsonianum)* Planch.
- *[Tetrastigma thorsborneorum](/source/Tetrastigma_thorsborneorum)* Jackes
- *[Tetrastigma tonkinense](/source/Tetrastigma_tonkinense)* Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma touranense](/source/Tetrastigma_touranense)* Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma trifoliolatum](/source/Tetrastigma_trifoliolatum)* Merr.
- *[Tetrastigma triphyllum](/source/Tetrastigma_triphyllum)* (Gagnep.) W.T.Wang
- *[Tetrastigma tsaianum](/source/Tetrastigma_tsaianum)* C.Y.Wu
- *[Tetrastigma venulosum](/source/Tetrastigma_venulosum)* C.Y.Wu
- *[Tetrastigma vitiense](/source/Tetrastigma_vitiense)* (A.Gray) A.C.Sm.
- *[Tetrastigma voinierianum](/source/Tetrastigma_voinierianum)* (Sallier) Pierre ex Gagnep.
- *[Tetrastigma warburgii](/source/Tetrastigma_warburgii)* Lauterb.
- *[Tetrastigma xishuangbannaense](/source/Tetrastigma_xishuangbannaense)* C.L.Li
- *[Tetrastigma xizangense](/source/Tetrastigma_xizangense)* C.L.Li
- *[Tetrastigma yiwuense](/source/Tetrastigma_yiwuense)* C.L.Li
- *[Tetrastigma yunnanense](/source/Tetrastigma_yunnanense)* Gagnep.

## References

1. ["*Tetrastigma* (Miq.) Planch."](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1729-1). *Plants of the World Online*. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2025. Retrieved 23 November 2025.

1. Chen, Pingting; Chen, Longqing; Wen, Jun (2011). "The first phylogenetic analysis of *Tetrastigma* (Miq.) Planch., the host of Rafflesiaceae". *Taxon*. **60** (2): 499–512. [Bibcode:2011Taxon..60..499C](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011Taxon..60..499C). [doi:10.1002/tax.602017](https://doi.org/10.1002/tax.602017)

1. ["Forest Department, Sarawak"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110927132456/http://www.forestry.sarawak.gov.my/forweb/ourfor/flora/tpp/bpakma.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.forestry.sarawak.gov.my/forweb/ourfor/flora/tpp/bpakma.htm) on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2008-06-11.

1. Cai, Liming; Arnold, Brian J.; Xi, Zhenxiang; Khost, Danielle E.; Patel, Niki; Hartmann, Claire B.; Manickam, Sugumaran; Sasirat, Sawitree; Nikolov, Lachezar A.; Mathews, Sarah; Sackton, Timothy B. (January 2021). "Deeply Altered Genome Architecture in the Endoparasitic Flowering Plant Sapria himalayana Griff. (Rafflesiaceae)". *Current Biology*. **31** (5): 1002–1011.e9. [Bibcode:2021CBio...31E1002C](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2021CBio...31E1002C). [doi:10.1016/j.cub.2020.12.045](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.12.045). [ISSN 0960-9822](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0960-9822). [PMID 33485466](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33485466)

1. Soejima, A. & Wen, J. (2006). "Phylogenetic analysis of the grape family (Vitaceae) based on three chloroplast markers". *American Journal of Botany*. **93** (2): 278–87. [Bibcode:2006AmJB...93..278S](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2006AmJB...93..278S). [doi:10.3732/ajb.93.2.278](https://doi.org/10.3732/ajb.93.2.278). [PMID 21646189](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21646189)

1. Acta Palaeobotanica - 43(1): 9-49, January 2003 - Early Miocene carpological material from the Czech part of the Zittau Basin - Vasilis Teodoridis

1. Messian to Zanclean vegetation and climate of Northern and Central Italy by Adele Bertini & Edoardo Martinetto, Bollettino della Società Paleontologica Italiana, 47 (2), 2008, 105-121. Modena, 11 lugio 2008.

1. Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521866453 (hardback), ISBN 9780521685535 (paperback). pp 376

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Tetrastigma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrastigma) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrastigma?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.