Parthenocissus himalayana
a deciduous member of the Parthenocissus genus in the family Vitaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Vitaceae
- Genus
- Parthenocissus
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Growth rate
- vigorous
- Height
- 18 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked[1][3]. A juicy texture with a sweet to acidic flavour[5]. The average yield per plant is about 750g per year[5]. (This seems exceedingly low[K].) The fruit contains about 8.6% sugars, 2.9% protein, 1.4% ash. Vitamin C content is 12.2mg per 100ml of juice[5]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[6] and is carried in small bunches like grapes.
- Plant part
- Fruit
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Plants can be allowed to sprawl on the ground, making a good ground cover when spaced about 3 metres apart each way[7]. They are very vigorous, however, and would soon swamp smaller plants[K].
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Climber, Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China to the Himalayas.
- Habitat
- Climbing over rocks, 1200 - 3300 metres in W. China[2]. Moist open places at elevations of 2100 - 3200 metres in Nepal[9].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[6]. Stored seed requires stratifying for 6 weeks at 5°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible[6]. 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), July/August in a frame[10]. Easy to root but they do not always survive the first winter[4]. Basal hardwood cuttings of current seasons growth, 10 - 12 cm long, autumn in a frame[6]. Layering[6].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a well-drained moisture retentive fertile soil and a sunny position[6]. Succeeds in semi-shade[7]. This species is not very hardy outdoors in Britain, it succeeds in the milder areas of the country where it is best grown on an east or west facing wall[6][8]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Fruits are only produced after a long hot summer[8]. 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[5]. A climbing plant, supporting itself by means of adhesive tendrils[4][8]. A very good climber for walls but it can invade gutters[4].
References
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Parmar. C. and Kaushal. M.K. Wild Fruits of the Sub-Himalayan Region. Kalyani Publishers. New Delhi. 1982-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0
Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00