Wild grape, Mountain splitter
Vitis lanata

Family: Vitaceae

What it is like

A large woody climber. It can climb 25 m tall. It has long forked tendrils. The branches and leaves have a brown felted covering. The leaves have stalks. These are 7 cm long. The leaves are 6.5-22 cm long by 5.5-27 cm wide. Leaves are oval or round to heart shaped. They taper to the tip. There are teeth around the edge. The hairs are thicker underneath than above. The flowers are yellow and have a scent. They occur in large compound clusters opposite the leaves. The fruit are round and usually with one seed. They are about 1 cm across. The seeds are greenish and 7 mm long by 4 mm wide.

There are 60 to 70 species of Vitis.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Nepal plants grow between 900-2100 m altitude. They are common in moist, open, rocky places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The stem when cut contains watery sap whichnis drunk. The ripe fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, sap

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed or root offshoots.

A vine can yield 18 kg of fruit.

Its other names

Local names

Bhim lahara, Bhambay, Jangali angur, Nehdum Asajiya, Asoja, Paharphuta, Purain, Kolo, Kolo nari, Purain

Synonyms

Cissus vitiginea Roxb.; Vitis cordifolia Roth.; Vitis henneana DC.; Vitis rugosa Wall.;