Birch-Leaf grape facts for kids

The Vitis betulifolia is a special kind of liana, which is like a woody vine that climbs up trees. It belongs to the grape family, just like the grapes you might eat! This plant is originally from China. You can find it growing in many Chinese provinces, including Gansu, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan.

Birch-Leaf Grape: A Climbing Vine

This unique grape vine loves to grow in valleys and on hillsides. It often lives in areas with forests or lots of shrubs. You can find it at very different heights, from about 600 meters (around 2,000 feet) all the way up to 3,600 meters (nearly 12,000 feet) above sea level! That's a huge range, showing how tough and adaptable this plant is.

When Does It Grow and Produce Fruit?

The Vitis betulifolia has a long season for both its flowers and its fruits.

• Flowering Time: Its beautiful flowers appear from March all the way through June.
• Fruiting Time: After the flowers, the plant starts to grow its fruits. These fruits ripen from June until November.

The fruits are small, round berries. When they are ready to eat, they turn a dark, blackish-purple color.

What's in a Name?

While there isn't a common English name for Vitis betulifolia, its scientific name tells us something interesting. The word betulifolia comes from Latin, and it means "birch leaf." This is because the leaves of this grape vine look a lot like the leaves of a Birch tree.

In Chinese, this plant is called hua ye pu tao. This name also means "birch-leaf grape," just like the Latin name. So, both names highlight the special shape of its leaves!