Menispermum (
moonseed) is a small
genus of
deciduous climbing
woody vines in the moonseed family (
Menispermaceae). Plants in this genus have small
dioecious flowers, and clusters of small
grape-like
drupes. The name, moonseed, comes from the shape of the
seed, which resembles a crescent
moon. The word
Menispermum is derived from the
Greek words
mene, meaning moon, and
sperma meaning seed. The common name moonseed is also applied to some other species in the related genus
Cocculus.