➢ It is a perennial, slender, aromatic climber.
➢ The branches are jointed, with woody roots at nodes.
➢ The older leaves near the base of the stem are ovate to kidney shaped              with a long petiole while the leaves near the apex of the stem
     are ovate to oblong with no petiole and clasps the stem. The leaves
     are dark green, shiny on the upper surface and pale, dull on the
      lower surface.
➢ The flowers are unisexual, monoecious; male and female flowers are
     borne on two separate plants. The male flowers are borne on narrow
     spike inflorescence having only two stamens on a short stalk,
     without sepals and petal. The female flowers are also borne on stout,
     erect spike inflorescence that is smaller than the male.
➢ When the female inflorescence bears fruits, it elongates a little and
     many small, round fruit are formed. Each fruit is a drupe that has a
     stony center, it is green when young, red on ripening and black on
     drying unripe fruits