Vitis heyneana facts for kids

Vitis heyneana is a type of climbing plant, like a vine, that belongs to the grape family. It grows naturally only in Asia. You can find it in bushy areas or forests, from places near the sea all the way up to high mountains (3200 meters high!). This plant grows round berries, about 10-13 millimeters wide, which are purple or almost black.

Two Types of Vitis heyneana

Vitis heyneana has two main types, called subspecies. They are V. h. subsp. heyneana and V. h. subsp. ficifolia.

In Chinese, V. h. subsp. heyneana is called mao pu tao. This means wool grape. Its leaves can be oval, long-oval, or even five-sided.

The other type, V. h. subsp. ficifolia, is called sang ye pu tao. This means mulberry-leaf grape. Its leaves usually have three parts, like a mulberry leaf. Sometimes, a few leaves on the vine might be undivided.

Scientists think V. h. subsp. ficifolia might actually be the same as another plant called Vitis ficifolia. This is because they both used the same original plant sample for their names.

Where They Grow and How High

The two types of Vitis heyneana grow in different places and at different heights.

V. h. subsp. ficifolia grows in some parts of China, like Henan, Shaanxi, Shandong, and Shanxi. It also grows by itself in Hebei and Jiangsu.

But V. h. subsp. heyneana grows in many more places! Besides the Chinese provinces mentioned, it is found in Anhui, Chongqing, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Xizang (Tibet), Yunnan, and Zhejiang. It also grows in countries like India, Bhutan, and Nepal.

The V. h. subsp. heyneana type can also grow much higher up in the mountains:

• V. h. subsp. heyneana: From 100 meters up to 3200 meters above sea-level.
• V. h. subsp. ficifolia: From 100 meters up to 1300 meters above sea-level.

When They Bloom and Grow Fruit

The V. h. subsp. heyneana type also blooms and produces fruit for a longer time than V. h. subsp. ficifolia.

Here's when they flower:

• V. h. subsp. heyneana: April to June or July
• V. h. subsp. ficifolia: May to July

And here's when their fruits are ready:

• V. h. subsp. heyneana: June to October
• V. h. subsp. ficifolia: July to September