Ampelocissus (Vitaceae) HWJK2066

sikkimensis

An extraordinary curiosity amongst the grape vine family, which we had great difficulty in identifying. Appearing like a lush large leafed Vitis except it is herbaceous, with long flexuous annual climbing tendrilled stems bearing palmate rugose leaves to 60-70 cm long of a tan colour, obscuring the comparatively small glossy black 'grapes', which are very popular with the native children in the remote corner of eastern Nepal we collected this from. Best grown in a sheltered sunny position in drained fertile soil, protect the roots in winter.