Small-fruited wild grape
Vitis balansana
Family: Vitaceae
What it is like
A shrub that lies along the ground. It can climb over thickets. The young branches have white hairs over them. The leaves are heart shaped and 4-9 cm long by 3-9 cm wide. There are rounded teeth towards the end. The male and female flowers are on separate plants. The flowers are small and in groups 6-13 cm long. The fruit are 4-5 mm across. There are 2 or 3 seeds. The fruit can be angular.
Vitis balansana and Vitis balansaeana are both the in The Plant List. The second is unresolved.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in southern China between 200-800 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Indochina, SE Asia, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The young leaves are eaten.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves