Small-leaved Grape

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Small-leaved Grape

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vitis thunbergii var. cinerea
• Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following its placement in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Vitales, it falls under the family Vitaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Vitis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily located within the diverse landscapes of East Asia. Within mainland China, its presence is notably concentrated in the South-Central regions. It also thrives across various parts of Southeast China. Furthermore, its natural habitat extends to the island of Taiwan. These specific areas define the core geographical range of Vitis sinoquinaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vitis sinocinerea is characterized by its ability to inhabit diverse topographical gradients, spanning a significant altitudinal spectrum. This species is found across a broad elevational range, with its distribution beginning at low-lying areas as low as 220 m AMSL and extending to high-altitude environments reaching a maximum of 2800 m AMSL. Throughout its natural habitat, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1510 m AMSL, indicating a preference for mid-altitude montane zones while retaining the ecological plasticity to colonize both sub-montane foothills and higher mountain slopes.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1510 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

220 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Vitis sinocinerea is characterized by its growth habit as an obligatory climber, utilizing specialized structures to ascend and anchor itself to supporting surfaces. As a woody species, it develops robust, lignified stems that provide the structural integrity necessary to support its extensive climbing framework. The plant's architecture is defined by this permanent woodiness, which allows it to establish a perennial presence in its habitat through thickened, perennial stems that increase in diameter over time.

Climber :

obligatory

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological development of the foliage in Vitis sinocerea is characterized by specific morphometric variations in leaf dimensions that reflect its vegetative growth patterns. The leaf morphology exhibits a significant range in size, with leaf length typically maintaining a mean value of 5.5 cm, though it can fluctuate between a minimum of 3 cm and reach a maximum of 8 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width demonstrates a dynamic breadth, averaging 4.5 cm, with measurements ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum width of 6 cm. These variations in leaf surface area suggest a physiological adaptation to optimize photosynthetic efficiency and gas exchange within its specific environmental niche.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length mean:

5.5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width mean:

4.5 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vitis sinocinerea is characterized by the development of inflorescences that typically range in length from a minimum of 0.03 m to a maximum of 0.06 m. Following successful pollination, the plant produces small fruits that exhibit specific dimensional variations. The fruits possess a mean length of 0.8 cm, with individual measurements varying from a minimum of 0.6 cm to a maximum of 1 cm. Similarly, the width of the fruit shows a mean value of 0.8 cm, ranging from a minimum width of 0.6 cm to a maximum width of 1 cm.

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.8 cm

Fruit length min:

0.6 cm

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.8 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.06 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.03 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vitis sinocinerea 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 root.

Root

1. Biomedicines

Activities

Vitis sinocinerea has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive.

Antinociceptive

1. The Chinese journal of physiology

Preparations

Vitis sinocinerea has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 95% ethanol extracts (95EE).

95% ethanol extracts (95ee)

1. Biomedicines