California Grape, California wild grape
Vitis californica
Family: Vitaceae
What it is like
Vitis californica is a deciduous Climber growing to 9 m (29ft 6in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 9
Where it is found
Stream banks and canyons below 1200 metres.
South-western N. America - Oregon to California.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for winter use. It can also be made into jellies, pies etc. The fruit is quite juicy but is very small. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter, but it has a thin flesh and is of little value even in America for its fruit. Young leaves are wrapped around other foods and then baked, they impart a pleasant flavour. Young tendrils - raw or cooked. A pleasantly sour snack when eaten raw.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 2
A yellow dye is obtained from the fresh or dried leaves. The roots have been used as a basketry material for basket bottoms. Woody parts of the vines have been used for the rims of large cone-shaped carrying baskets. Smaller vines have been twisted to make a strong rope.
Basketry: Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
String: Plants that can be used for string or can be easily made into a string. See also Fibre. Plants for ropes may be included.
How it is grown
Prefers a deep rich moist well-drained moderately fertile loam. Grows best in a calcareous soil. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though a warm sunny position is required for the fruit to ripen. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Plants climb by means of tendrils. Any pruning should be carried out in winter when the plants are dormant otherwise they bleed profusely. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Six weeks cold stratification improves the germination rate, and so stored seed is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is obtained. Germination should take place in the first spring, but sometimes takes another 12 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in early summer. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, December/January in a frame. These cuttings can be of wood 15 - 30cm long or they can be of short sections of the stem about 5cm long with just one bud at the top of the section. In this case a thin, narrow strip of the bark about 3cm long is removed from the bottom half of the side of the stem. This will encourage callusing and the formation of roots. Due to the size of these cuttings they need to be kept in a more protected environment than the longer cuttings. Layering.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;
Habit: Climber
Hardiness: 6-9
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist