MOONSEED

either of two species of woody vines constituting the genus Menispermum of the family Menispermaceae. They occur in East Asia, eastern North America, and Mexico. Canada moonseed, or yellow parilla (M. canadense), with oval to round leaves, somewhat lobed, and greenish-white flowers, bears black, grapelike fruit with crescent-shaped seed on female plants. M. dauricum, similar to the former species, is from eastern Asia.