Vitis girdiana
Encyclopedia
The wild grape
species Vitis girdiana is known as the desert wild grape and Southern California wild grape. It is quite similar to the California wild grape, Vitis californica
. They are currently treated as two different species but may be subspecies of one.
It is a climbing grapevine growing at low elevation in Southern California
, including some of the Channel Islands
, and adjacent Baja California
. It is a member of the chaparral plant community
and can be found in riparian woodlands. It is tolerant of a wide variety of soils and does well in drought conditions. It bears bunches of small, sweet, edible purple to black grapes up to 8 millimeters in diameter which are browsed by wildlife. It is also grown as an ornamental plant for its attractive hanging foliage and tendril
s. The Cahuilla
of southern California made wine and raisin
s from the grapes.
Grape
A grape is a non-climacteric fruit, specifically a berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, molasses and grape seed oil. Grapes are also...
species Vitis girdiana is known as the desert wild grape and Southern California wild grape. It is quite similar to the California wild grape, Vitis californica
Vitis californica
Vitis californica is a wild grape species native to most of California and southwestern Oregon. It is a deciduous vine which can grow to over 10 m in length. It climbs on other plants or covers the ground with twisted, woody ropes of vine covered in green leaves...
. They are currently treated as two different species but may be subspecies of one.
It is a climbing grapevine growing at low elevation in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
, including some of the Channel Islands
Channel Islands of California
The Channel Islands of California are a chain of eight islands located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California along the Santa Barbara Channel in the United States of America...
, and adjacent Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
. It is a member of the chaparral plant community
Chaparral
Chaparral is a shrubland or heathland plant community found primarily in the U.S. state of California and in the northern portion of the Baja California peninsula, Mexico...
and can be found in riparian woodlands. It is tolerant of a wide variety of soils and does well in drought conditions. It bears bunches of small, sweet, edible purple to black grapes up to 8 millimeters in diameter which are browsed by wildlife. It is also grown as an ornamental plant for its attractive hanging foliage and tendril
Tendril
In botany, a tendril is a specialized stem, leaf or petiole with a threadlike shape that is used by climbing plants for support, attachment and cellular invasion by parasitic plants, generally by twining around suitable hosts. They do not have a lamina or blade, but they can photosynthesize...
s. The Cahuilla
Cahuilla
The Cahuilla, Iviatim in their own language, are Indians with a common culture whose ancestors inhabited inland areas of southern California 2,000 years ago. Their original territory included an area of about . The traditional Cahuilla territory was near the geographic center of Southern California...
of southern California made wine and raisin
Raisin
Raisins are dried grapes. They are produced in many regions of the world. Raisins may be eaten raw or used in cooking, baking and brewing...
s from the grapes.