Native grape, Wild grape, Djabaru
Ampelocissus acetosa

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

A shrub or scrambling climber. It lies along the ground and can spread 2-4 m wide. It has short spines and tendrils along the stems. It grows from a perennial tuber. The leaves are compound, large and coarse. The leaves are generally divided into 5-9 leaflets which vary in size and shape. The blade of the main leaflets is 5-13 cm long by 1-8 cm wide. They are dark green on top and whitish underneath. There can be irregular teeth around the edge of the leaf. Flowers are small and dark red. The fruit are round fleshy berries. They can be 1 cm across. They occur in dense clusters like grapes. They are purple black when ripe.

There are about 95 Ampelocissus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They grow naturally in tropical open forests. It grows in a variety of soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Torres Strait

How it is used for food

The berries are eaten raw. The roots are eaten after roasting.

Edible parts

Fruit, root

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or by stem cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Andjakurrkkurrk, Andjalke, Annujek, Bertjerwungat, Djabaru, Kuman, Kurrabiya, Makurin, Turukwanga, Wuluymung

Synonyms

Vitis acetosa F. Muell.;