Common Name:

General Information

Parthenocissus semicordata is a 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.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia.

Habitat

Climbing over rocks, 1,200 - 3,300 metres in W. China[]. Moist open places at elevations of 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

This species is not very hardy outdoors in Britain, it succeeds in the milder areas of the country where it is best grown on an east or west facing wall[, ]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts.
Requires a well-drained moisture retentive fertile soil and a sunny position[]. Succeeds in semi-shade[].

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[].
A climbing plant, supporting itself by means of adhesive tendrils[, ]. A very good climber for walls but it can invade gutters[].

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 6mm in diameter[] and is carried in small bunches like grapes.

Medicinal

A poultice of the roots is used to help set dislocated bones[].

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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