Kangaroo Vine (Cissus antarctica) is one of the commonest and most recognisable of our local rainforest vines. Its distinctive toothed leaves with obvious venation, and the coppery-brown colouration of new tendrils and leaf stems, are often visible even a way up in the canopy.

It is also fairly well known in cultivation, used for covering fences, decorating walls and apparently even in hanging baskets (though I've got my doubts about how long it would stay manageable, given it's such a large and vigorous vine!). 

You can see Kangaroo Vine growing all around the Illawarra, mostly in littoral rainforest near the sea and in the rainforest of the escarpment. There's a clearly visible vine at the Illawarra Rhododendron and Rainforest Gardens, along the upper track through the rainforest, and plenty to be seen at Bass Point Nature Reserve too.

The understorey in Wollongong Botanic Garden's woodland area is dominated in some areas by Kangaroo Vine, and this is a good place to see it with minimal effort (pop in while you're visiting the sculpture exhibition this month). The fruit are often visible on the forest floor in late summer or autumn; you can eat them but they don't taste great and they can also irritate the throat, so I wouldn't recommend them. 

One little mystery around this plant is the origin of its common name. 'Kangaroo', when applied as an adjectival noun, often refers to the presence of kangaroos (think 'Kangaroo Valley') or a visual resemblance to kangaroos (think 'Kangaroo Paw'). But what does it mean in the context of this vine? I have absolutely no idea!

I've been looking for answers for a while and not come across anything. Is it just the orange-brown furry new tendrils, which could possibly (in bad light, poor vision and with a weak understanding of kangaroo anatomy) be mistaken for a kangaroo's paw or tail? I just don't know...

 If anyone can enlighten me as to the origins of the name 'Kangaroo Vine,' please reach out! 

Emma Rooksby is the coordinator of Growing Illawarra Natives