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 in a cold frame[]. Stored seed requires stratifying for 6 weeks at 5°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible[]. Germination is variable. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm taken at a node (ensure that it has at least 2 true buds), mid summer in a frame[]. Easy to root but they do not always survive the first winter[].
Basal hardwood cuttings of current seasons growth, 10 - 12 cm long, autumn in a frame[].
Layering[].