Amur grape

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Amur grape

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vitis vinifera f. amurensis
• Vitis vulpina var. amurensis
• Vitis vinifera var. amurensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Vitales and the family Vitaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identification is placed within the genus Vitis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across Asia. In the Russian Far East, it can be found inhabiting the Amur, Khabarovsk, and Primorye territories. Its range extends southward into Central Asia, specifically within the country of Tajikistan. Furthermore, the species is documented to grow within the Inner Mongolia region of China. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to adapt to various continental environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vitis amurensis is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse terrain and varied environmental conditions. It thrives across a broad elevational gradient, ranging from low-lying areas at 50 m AMSL to high-altitude regions reaching up to 2100 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 637.5 m AMSL. This species is highly versatile in its habitat selection, frequently colonizing cut-over forests, forest edges, and shrubberies, as well as more rugged landscapes such as mountains and stony places. Furthermore, it demonstrates a strong affinity for moisture-rich or transitional environments, often found near rivers, sandy soils, and along shores.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

637.5 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

50 m AMSL

Habitat :

cut-over forest, forest edges, mountains, rivers, sand, shores, shrubberies, stony places

Life history

The life history of Vitis amurensis is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish long-term presence within its natural habitat. As a woody climber, its development involves a continuous cycle of seasonal growth where it utilizes vigorous, twisting vines to ascend towards light sources. During the growing season, the plant undergoes rapid vegetative expansion, developing extensive root systems and thick woody stems that provide the structural foundation for its longevity. Its reproductive cycle typically follows a seasonal pattern of budding, flowering, and fruit production, with the perennial nature ensuring that the plant can survive dormant periods through winter and emerge rejuvenated in subsequent years. This enduring lifecycle enables the species to maintain stability in diverse ecosystems, contributing to its ability to persist across multiple growing seasons.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vitis amurensis is characterized by its growth form as a shrubby, woody plant that functions as an obligatory climber. It utilizes specialized structures to ascend, distinguishing it from facultative or self-supporting species. Its structural development is defined by a woody composition, providing the necessary rigidity for its climbing habit.

Climber :

obligatory

Growth form :

shrub

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vitis amurensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and environmental adaptations. Its vegetative morphology is defined by orbicular leaf forms featuring toothed margins, lacking both leaf thorns and spines. The leaves exhibit significant dimensional variability, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 6 cm to a mean of 15 cm, reaching a maximum of 24 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width demonstrates a broad spectrum, starting from a minimum of 5 cm, maintaining a mean of 13 cm, and extending to a maximum of 21 cm.

Leaf form :

orbicular

Leaf length max:

24 cm

Leaf length mean:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf margin :

toothed

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

21 cm

Leaf width mean:

13 cm

Leaf width min:

5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vitis amurensis is characterized by a distinct flowering season that typically commences in May and concludes in July. During this period, the plant produces inflorescences that vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.13 m. Following pollination, the plant develops fruits that exhibit specific dimensional characteristics; the fruit length ranges from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm, with an average length of 1.25 cm. Similarly, the fruit width varies from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm, maintaining a mean width of approximately 1.075 cm.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

1.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.25 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit width max:

1.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.075 cm

Fruit width min:

0.8 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.13 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.05 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vitis amurensis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Vitis amurensis has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Amurensin G, Procyanidin B-5 3'-O-gallate, Vitisinol, amurensisin, r-2-Viniferin.

Amurensin G

1. Biochemical and biophysical research communications

Procyanidin B-5 3'-O-gallate

1. Phytochemistry

Vitisinol

1. Phytochemistry

amurensisin

1. Phytochemistry

r-2-Viniferin

1. PloS one

Conditions

Vitis amurensis has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Parkinson's disease, apoptosis, cystic fibrosis, polycystic kidney disease.

Parkinson's disease

1. Biochemical and biophysical research communications

Apoptosis

1. Biochemical and biophysical research communications

Cystic fibrosis

1. PloS one

Polycystic kidney disease

1. PloS one