Vitis lanata

A deciduous climbing vine, hardy to UK zone 9 and frost tender. Flowers June to July with seeds ripening September to October. Hermaphroditic and insect-pollinated. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage, preferring mildly acid to basic pH. Grows in semi-shaded woodlands or full sun in dry or moist soil conditions.

Description

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.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or dried for winter use. It has a good sweet-acid flavour, though it is slightly more sour than cultivated grapes. Berries are rather small, typically around 5mm in diameter, though wild plants in the Himalayas can produce fruit up to 11mm across. They are borne in bunches, which makes harvesting easier. Wild plants average annual yields of 18.5kg. The fruit contains roughly 13% sugars, 1% protein, and 2.2% ash. Young leaves are used to wrap other foods before baking, lending a pleasant flavour. Young tendrils can be eaten raw or cooked. The sap makes a pleasant drink and is best harvested in spring and early summer when the plant yields abundantly, though it should not be taken in excessive quantities as this will weaken the plant.

Traditional Uses

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

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The watery sap from the stems is dripped into the eyes to relieve inflammation.

Distribution

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

Where It Grows

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

Cultivation

Prefers a deep rich moist well-drained moderately fertile loam. Grows best in a calcareous soil. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though a warm sunny position is required for the fruit to ripen. This species is not very frost resistant, it is unlikely to succeed outdoors outside the mildest areas of the country and will be best grown on a sunny wall even there. Plants seem to be immune to many diseases such as mildew or anthracnose. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus. Plants climb by means of tendrils. Any pruning should be carried out in winter when the plants are dormant otherwise they bleed profusely.

Propagation

Seed is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it ripens. Six weeks of cold stratification improves germination rates, so stored seed should be sown in a cold frame as soon as it is obtained. Germination usually occurs in the first spring but may take another 12 months. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle, overwinter in a cold frame, and plant out in early summer. Hardwood cuttings of the current season's growth can be taken in December or January and rooted in a frame. These may be 15–30cm long, or short single-bud sections about 5cm long. For the shorter sections, remove a thin strip of bark roughly 3cm long from the lower side to encourage callusing and rooting; these smaller cuttings need more protection than longer ones. Layering is also an option.

Other Uses

A yellow dye is obtained from fresh or dried leaves.

Production

A vine can yield 18 kg of fruit.

Notes

There are 60 to 70 species of Vitis.

Dangerous Lookalikes

This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.

DEADLY

Canadian Moonseed

Menispermum canadense

Cbaile19

Safe

Wild grape

Vitis lanata

Stacy Jackson

Canadian Moonseed: No tendrils, single crescent/moon-shaped seed, leaf stem attaches to underside of leaf.

Wild grape: Vine with tendrils, round seeds, leaf stem at edge of leaf, bark that peels.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

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

References (6)

• Karki, S., et al, 2017, Minor Fruits in Nepal: Utilization and Conservation Efforts. Proceedings of 2nd National Workshop on CUAPGR, 2017.
• Manandhar, N.P., 2002, Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press. Portland, Oregon. p 478
• Mehta, P. S. et al, 2010, Native plant genetic resources and traditional foods of Uttarakhand Himalaya for sustainable food security and livelihood. Indian Journal or Natural products and Resources. Vol 1(1), March 2010 pp 89-96
• Parmar, C., & Kaushel, M. K., 1982, In Wild Fruits. Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi, India. p 95-97
• Pasha, M. K. & Uddin, S. B., 2019, Minor Edible Fruits of Bangladesh. Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 26(2): 299–313

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