Bush Grape, Threeleaf cayratia
Cayratia trifolia

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

A slightly woody creeper or vine. It has a large taproot system. It climbs by suction pads on the tendrils. The leaves are compound with 3 leaflets. The leaflets are oval and thin and softly hairy. They are 3-8 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. There are coarse teeth along the edge. The flowers are small and greenish. They occur in long clusters. The fruit are flattened berries. They are black and about 0.4 cm across.

There are about 45 Cayratia species. They are mainly in tropical areas.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits tropical and subtropical places. It is often grown near houses. It grows naturally in Northern Australia in open forest. It is damaged by frost. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Himalayas, India (country/location of origin), Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Palau, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, Yap

How it is used for food

The sap from cut stalks can be drunk. The roots are edible after they have been cooked in hot coals. The fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Tuber, root, fruit, sap

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seeds or cuttings. It dies back to the tuber in the dry season.

In China plants flower and fruit June to December.

Its other names

Local names

Ambat-vel, Bush grape, Dhavri, Djalwa, Doker bela, Galun, Kudhimarifai, Lenn, Lorwora, Nelerre, Ngiandji, Ow cho, Pulkun, Slender water vine, Takking, Tampara, Taw-sabyit, Threeleaf cayratia, Tradet, Yugali

Synonyms

Cayratia carnosa Gagnep.; Cayratia timorensis (DC.) C. L. Li; Cissus trifolia (L.) K. Schum.; Vitis carnosa (Lam.) Wall.; Vitis trifolia Linn.; and others