Vitis californica Benth.
California grape, California wild grape, Western wild grape
Vitaceae (Grape Family)
USDA Symbol: VICA5
This is a deciduous vine to 30 ft. that, without support, makes a nice ground cover. Stems have shreddy bark and the leaves are roundish and somewhat 3-lobed. Fragrant, greenish-yellow flowers are followed by clusters of small, edible, purple grapes.
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Plant CharacteristicsDuration: Perennial
Size Notes: Climber
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Bloom InformationBloom Color: Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: May , Jun
DistributionUSA: CA , OR
Native Distribution: CA Coast Ranges & Sierra foothills to s.w. OR
Native Habitat: Stream banks & moist canyons below 4000 ft.
Growing ConditionsLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist soils.
Conditions Comments: This can be an aggressively rampant vine so care should be taken to select an adequate space.
PropagationDescription: Grown easily from seeds or cuttings.
Seed Collection: Strip ripe fruits from the vines. Clean seeds before storing in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: No treatment necessary, though a 1 month cool-moist stratification may improve germination.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
From the National Organizations DirectoryAccording to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Additional resourcesUSDA: Find Vitis californica in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Vitis californica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Vitis californica
MetadataRecord Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff