The lianas observed in this study Abuta convexa (Vell.) Diels Abuta imene (Mart.) Eichler and Chondrodendron platiphyllum (A. St.-Hil.) Miers all have successive cambia in their stems. The terminology applied to stem histology in species with successive cambia is as diverse as the interpretations of the origins of this cambial variant. Therefore this study specifically investigates the origin of successive cambia through a developmental analysis of the above-mentioned species including an analysis of the terminology used to describe this cambial variation. For the first time we have identified several developmental stages giving rise to the origins of successive cambia in this family. First the pericycle originates in 1-3 layers of conjunctive tissue. After the differentiation of the first ring the conjunctive tissue undergoes new divisions developing approximately 10 rows of parenchyma cells. In the middle portion a layer of sclereids is formed again subdividing the conjunctive tissue into two parts: internal and external. New cambia originate in the internal part from which new secondary vascular strands will originate giving rise to the second successive vascular ring of the stem. The external part remains parenchymatous during the installation of the second ring and will undergo new periclinal division repeating the entire process. New cambia will originate from the neoformed strands which will form only rays. In the literature successive cambia are formed by a meristem called “diffuse lateral meristem.” However based on the species of Menispermaceae studied in this report it is demonstrated that the diffuse lateral meristem is the pericycle itself.