Wild Grape

species of woody liana of various genera of the family Vitaceae.

(1) The species of the genus Parthenocissus are characterized by bisexual or pseudobisexual flowers (with an underdeveloped gynaecium), most of which have free stellate recurved petals. The berries are small and dark blue or bluish black. The tips of the tendrils are usually broadened into disks. There are about ten species in North America and Asia. The species P. tricuspidata grows wild in the Far East of the USSR. The species P. quinquefolia and P. inserta are used as ornamental plants.

(2) The species of the genus Ampelopsis have diclinous, monoecious flowers with free stellate recurved petals. Their berries are small and either white, dark blue, or orange; most are inedible. There are about 20 species, growing chiefly in North America and Asia. In the USSR there are four species, of which three are found in the Far East and one in Tadzhikistan. The species A. brevipedunculata is cultivated as a climbing plant.

(3) The wild species of the genus Vitis have diclinous, dioecious, less frequently, bisexual flowers with petals connate at the apexes. Their berries are small and black. In the USSR there are three species, growing in the southern European part, the Caucasus, Middle Asia (Kopetdag), and the Far East.