Vitis belaii

Vitaceae Edible: Fruit, Leaves

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

No photos yet for Vitis belaii

Summary

A frost-tender deciduous climber with hermaphroditic flowers appearing June to July and seeds maturing September to October. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acidic, neutral, and mildly alkaline pH. Adapts to semi-shade or full sun and handles both dry and moist soil conditions.

Description

Edible Uses

The fruit is on the small side but easy to harvest as it grows in bunches, and has a very pleasant flavour when fully ripe. It can be eaten raw or dried for winter use. Young leaves can be wrapped around other foods and baked, where they impart a pleasant flavour. Young tendrils can be eaten raw or cooked.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Propagation

Seed is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Six weeks of cold stratification improves germination, so stored seed should also be sown in a cold frame as soon as it is obtained. Germination usually occurs in the first spring but can take another 12 months. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame through their first winter, then plant out in early summer. Cuttings of mature wood from the current season's growth can be taken in December or January and rooted in a frame. These can be 15–30cm long, or short sections about 5cm long with a single bud at the top. For the shorter sections, remove a thin, narrow strip of bark about 3cm long from the lower portion of one side to encourage callusing and root formation; these shorter cuttings require a more sheltered environment than longer ones. Layering is also an option.