Tetrastigma nitens
(F. Muell.) Planch.
Native Grape, Shining Grape, Three-leaf water vine
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(c) Geoffrey Sinclair, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Geoffrey Sinclair
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(c) Nathanael Green, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
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(c) Young Chan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Young Chan
Summary
Source: WikipediaTetrastigma nitens is a species of liana native to seasonal tropical forests and gallery forests of tropical and subtropical eastern Australia. Common names include native grape, shiny-leaved grape, and three-leaf water vine.
Description
A vine. The new young leaves are shiny and have a delicate pattern. It climbs by tendrils opposite the leaves. The leaves have 3 small leaflets. The central leaflet is largest. The flowers are small and brown. They are produced in clusters. Each flower has a large 4 lobed stigma. The fruit are dark berries. They are edible. They have 1-4 wrinkled seeds.
Edible Uses
The dark berries are edible and can be eaten fresh.
Traditional Uses
The fruit are edible. Caution: Too many fruit can irritate the throat.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Known Hazards
Consuming too many berries can irritate the throat.
Distribution
A subtropical plant. It grows in warm climates. In NE Queensland it grows from sea level to 800 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Australia*,
Cultivation
Plants are grown from fresh seeds or cuttings.
Synonyms
References (16)
- Anon., 2003, Native Plants for the Fitzroy basin. Society for Growing Australian Plants Inc. (Rockhampton Branch) p 76
- Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 154, 197
- Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 69
- Edible and Useful Native Plants (off internet)
- Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 297
Show all 16 references Hide references
- Jackes, B.R., 2001, Plants of the Tropics. Rainforest to Heath. An Identification Guide. James Cook University. p 86
- Jones, D.L. & Gray, B., 1977, Australian Climbing Plants. Reed. p 148
- Jones D, L, 1986, Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, p 301
- Leiper, G & Houser, J., Mutooroo. Plant Use by Australian Aboriginal People. Assembly press, Queensland.
- Low, T., 1991, Wild Food Plants of Australia. Australian Nature FieldGuide, Angus & Robertson. p 62
- Melzer, R. & Plumb, J., 2011, Plants of Capricornia. Belgamba, Rockhampton. p 396
- Nicholson, N & H., 1996, Australian Rainforest Plants 2, Terania Rainforest Publishing. NSW. p 62
- Ratcliffe D & P., 1987, Australian Native Plants for Indoors. Little Hills press. p 136
- Ryan, M. (Ed.), 2003, Wild Plants of Greater Brisbane. Queensland Museum. p 234
- Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 356
- Williams, K.A.W., 1999, Native Plants of Queensland Volume 4. Keith A.W. Williams North Ipswich, Australia. p 366
