The genus Cayratia comprises approximately 45 species of plants, some of which have utility value to people. It is found in tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, Africa, Australia, and islands of the Pacific ocean. Within the Vitaceae, Cayratia is most closely related to Tetrastigma and Cyphostemma. However, Cayratia may not be monophyletic (for example, Cayratia japonica may be more closely related to Cyphostemma than it is to Cayratia pedata).