Jungle grapevine
Ampelocissus latifolia

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

A woody climber. It has a fattened rootstock. It has hollow stems. The leaves are roundish and have 3-7 lobes. The tendrils are forked. The flowers are small and reddish-brown. The fruit are oval and 7-8 mm long. They are black when fully ripe. They have 2 seeds.

There are about 95 Ampelocissus species. The leaves are used in medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in moist deciduous forests. It is often in hedges. It grows up to 1,200 m above sea level. It occurs in the Western Ghats in India.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, East Africa, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Nepal, Nigeria, Northeastern India, Indochina, Laos, Pakistan, SE Asia, Uganda, West Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They can be sour. The stems contain drinking water.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, stem - water

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

In India plants flower and fruit from May to August.

Its other names

Local names

Achiwebetema, Amlavetasah, Bahinicha vel, Ban angur, Bechhuti, Bedasativva, Dhoto pako, Dibroi, Dokela, Golinda, Govila, Govindu, Gowalia lata, Jungle angoor, Jangli drash, Kanjianoi, Kanjinoi, Karantavalli, Kattuk-kodi-mundirikai, Kattukodimindri, Nadena, Nandena, Okela, Okoto, Olok, Panibel, Peribel, Ran draksha

Synonyms

Ampelocissus erioclada (Wight & Arn.) Planch. [Illegitimate]; Vitis erioclada Wight & Arn.; Vitis glabrata Roth. in Schult.; Vitis latifolia Roxb.;