Common Name:

General Information

Parthenocissus semicordata is a robust, deciduous climbing shrub. It can produce stems up to 18 metres long that scramble over the ground and attach themselves to other plants or objects by means of adhesive tendrils[, , ].
The edible fruit is sometimes gathered from the wild for local use. The plant also has local medicinal uses and can be used to form a dense, vigorous ground cover.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, southern China, southern Japan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia (Java)

Habitat

Climbing over rocks, at elevations from 1,200 - 3,300 metres in W. China[]. Forests or shrublands on hillsides; at elevations from 500 - 3,800 metres[]. Moist open places; at elevations from 2,100 - 3,200 metres in Nepal[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Climber
Height	18.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Parthenocissus semicordata is a plant of the warm temperate and subtropical zones of Asia. It is not very cold-hardy, tolerating occasional, short-lived temperatures falling as low as -5°c. The young growth in spring is more frost-tender and can be damaged by late frosts[, ].
Requires a well-drained moisture retentive fertile soil and a sunny position[]. Succeeds in semi-shade[]. In areas close to the limits of hardiness, the plant is best sited in a position that is sheltered from the morning sun - a west-facing wall is ideal, allowing the plant plenty of afternoon sun.
A climbing plant, supporting itself by means of adhesive tendrils[, ]. A very good climber for walls but it can invade gutters[].
Fruits are only produced after a long hot summer[]. The fruit of this species is very late ripening and the plant has potential in breeding programmes with Vitis vinifera, especially in the Himalayas, where this trait could be useful[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, ]. A juicy texture with a sweet to acidic flavour[]. The average yield per plant is about 750g per year[]. (This seems exceedingly low[].) The fruit contains about 8.6% sugars, 2.9% protein, 1.4% ash. Vitamin C content is 12.2mg per 100ml of juice[]. The fruit is about 6 - 8mm in diameter containing 1 - 2 seeds[] and is carried on the plant in small grape-like bunches[].

Medicinal

A poultice of the roots is used to help set dislocated bones[].
The plant is used to heal bone fractures[].

The bark and the twigs are astringent and expectorant[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be allowed to sprawl on the ground, making a good ground cover when spaced about 3 metres apart each way[]. They are very vigorous, however, and would soon swamp smaller plants[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[]. Stored seed germinates best if it is stratified for 6 weeks at 5°c[]. Germination is variable. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm taken at a node (ensure that it has at least 2 true buds)[]. Easy to root[].
Basal hardwood cuttings of current seasons growth, 10 - 12 cm long[].
Layering[].

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