Chinese wild grape
Vitis heyneana

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

A climbing vine. The small branches have ridges along them. The tendrils are divided. The leaves are simple and broadly oval or heart shaped. The flower panicles are opposite the leaves and are 4-14 cm long. The flowers are yellowish green. The fruit is a purple black berry.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows from sea level to 3,200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Korea, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. The roots are also eaten. They are cooked by boiling and used in curries. The stem yields a watery sap that is drunk.

Edible parts

Fruit, roots, stem - drink, shoots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Asoja, Dumba, Gedar kwar, Gode lata, Jnagli loosh, Purain

Synonyms

Vitis ficifolia var. pentagona Pamp.; Vitis heyneana subsp. heyneana; Vitis kelungensis Momiy.; Vitis lanata Roxb.; Vitis pentagona Diels & Gilg; Vitis pentagona var. honanensis Rehder; Vitis quinquangularis Rehder; Vitis thunbergii var. yunnanensis Planch. ex Franch.;