Common Name:

General Information

Vitis tiliifolia is a small to very large climbing shrub with thick, woody stems that can be 10 - 35 metres long and up to 20cm in diameter[, , ]. The plant climbs into the trees and shrubs in the forest, supporting itself by means of coiled tendrils.
Best known for the watery sap that can be obtained from the stems, the plant also yields a sour fruit, has local medicinal uses and can be used as cordage.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Northern S. America - Ecuador, Colombia; Central America - Panama through to Mexico; Caribbean - Cuba and Jamaica to the Virgin Islands.

Habitat

Common in wet to dry forest or thickets, often in pine-oak forest, most plentiful at lower elevations but also extending to 1,700 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. Usually very sour[, ]. The fruit, even when fully ripe, is too acid to be palatable, but it is utilized sometimes for making vinegar.[, ]. The purple-black fruit is about 6 - 8mm. In diameter[].

Considerable quantities of watery sap can be obtained from sections of the stem. This can be drunk in place of water, a fact of which advantage is often taken in regions where surface water is lacking[]. A slightly astringent flavour, it runs from sections of the stem when these are separated and handled with the proper dexterity. A piece of stem one metre long will fill an ordinary glass, and the frequent distribution of this plant in the forests has saved the life of more than one woodsman who had lost his way and was dying from thirst[].

Medicinal

The plant has a long history of medicinal use in Mexico, where it is valued particularly in the treatment of kidney, skin and eye problems[].

In Puebla and Veracruz it is used to relieve diseases of the eyes, such as infections or irritation[]

A decoction of the root is administered orally as a treatment for kidney pain[]..

A decoction of the whole plant is rubbed into the affected area to treat the bacterial infection erysipelas[].

A deccoción of the leaves is applied topically as acompress to treat snake bites[].

The water obtained from the stem is reputed to be diuretic and efficacious as a remedy for venereal diseases[].

Other Uses

The tough stems are used for temporary cordage in gathering firewood and for other purposes[].

Propagation

Seed -

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