The stalks of the 5 stamens are joined into a column. Fruits are berries with many seeds inside the pulp. This climber has thin, hairy stems and tendrils. It was introduced from South America. Leaves are thin and hairy with 3 rounded or pointed lobes.
Flowers arise singly from the leaf axils.
Each flower has 3 pale green, much divided, mossy-looking leaves just below the calyx. There are 5 white petals and just inside them are 2 rings of purple threads with white tips. Fruits are small round orange berries, each enclosed in 3 moss-like leaves. There are many seeds which are found inside a milky pulp. The ripe fruits are edible but they may contain hydrocyanic acid.