Vitis californica

Vitis californica, with common names California wild grape, Northern California grape, and Pacific grape,[1] is a wild grape species widespread across much of California as well as southwestern Oregon.[2][3][4]

Vitis californica
Vitis californica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Vitales
Family: Vitaceae
Genus: Vitis
Species:
V. californica
Binomial name
Vitis californica

The California wild grape grows along streams and rivers and thrives in damp areas; however, like most other native California plants it can withstand periods of dry conditions.

Description

Vitis californica is a deciduous vine which can grow to over 10 m (33 ft) in length. It climbs on other plants or covers the ground with twisted, woody ropes of vine covered in green leaves. In the fall the leaves turn many shades of orange and yellow.

Bunches of small and often sour but edible purple grapes hang from the vines in autumn, which can be made into wine or jelly.[5] The grapes provide an important food source for a variety of wild animals, especially birds, and the foliage provides thick cover. The grapes are a common sight along the banks of the Sacramento River.

New leaves in a riparian woodland in the San Joaquin Valley.

Cultivation
Viticulture

The wild grape is strong and robust, and viticulturists worldwide often use it as rootstock for their wine grapes. In some areas where the plant is not native it has the capacity to become a noxious weed.

Horticulture

Vitis californica is cultivated as an ornamental plant. The interesting shape and color of the leaves and the lush, trainable vines make this species an attractive garden plant. This vine is commonly used in native plant gardens, where once established it thrives without summer water.

The cultivar 'Roger's Red' (named for noted horticulturist Roger Raiche) turns brilliant red in fall and is a hybrid with a wine grape, Vitis vinifera Alicante Bouschet. The cultivar 'Walker Ridge' turns yellow in the autumn.

References
  1. "Vitis californica". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  2. Jepson Flora: Vitis californica
  3. Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
  4. Calflora taxon report, Vitis californica Benth. California grape, California wild grape
  5. Elias, Thomas S.; Dykeman, Peter A. (2009) [1982]. Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods. New York: Sterling. pp. 214, 216. ISBN 978-1-4027-6715-9. OCLC 244766414.
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