Common Name:

General Information

Ampelopsis humulifolia is a deciduous, climbing shrub with stems that can be 6 metres or more long. The stems scramble over the ground, climbing into the surrounding vegetation where they attach themselves by means of coiling tendrils[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food. Very ornamental, it is sometimes grown in gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - northern and central China

Habitat

Woodlands and thickets, at elevations from 900 - 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Climber
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Ampelopsis humulifolia is tolerant of very cold winters - the dormant plants are hardy to at least -25°c if the wood is fully ripened[]. However, the young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[]. The plant needs long, hot summers to fully ripen its wood if it is to flower and fruit freely[].
Prefers a deep rich loam in a warm sheltered position in sun or semi-shade[, ].
Closely related to Ampelopsis bodinieri[].
Plants climb by means of coiling tendrils but large plants often need tying in to support the weight of foliage[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[]. The fruit is about 4 - 5mm in diameter[] and is carried in small bunches like grapes[].

Leaves[]. No more details.

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in pots in a cold frame in the autumn or stratify for 6 weeks at 5°c and sow in the spring[]. Germination can be quite slow, sometimes taking more than a year. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. When they are more than 20cm tall, they can be planted out into their permanent positions, preferably in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm long, mid summer in a frame[].
Cuttings or eyes in late autumn or winter. Either place them in the ground in a greenhouse or cold frame, or put them in pots. An eye cutting is where you have just one bud at the top and a short length of stem with a small part of the bark removed. These normally root well and grow away vigorously, being ready to plant into their permanent positions the following autumn.
Layering into pots in late summer. Partially sever the stem in spring and then lift the new plants in the autumn[].