West indian grape (Vitis tiliifolia, J.J.Roemer & J.A.Schultes, Syst. Veg., ed. 15 bis 5: 320 (1819))

Family: Vitaceae

Author: Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schult.

Bibliography: J.J.Roemer & J.A.Schultes, Syst. Veg., ed. 15 bis 5: 320 (1819)

Year: 1819

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Vitis

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to Venezuela and Ecuador, Caribbean

Description

The West Indian Grape, known scientifically as Vitis tiliifolia, is a notable member of the Vitaceae family. First classified by Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schult. and documented by J.J. Roemer and J.A. Schultes in the early 19th century, this species captures interest for its botanical characteristics and broad distribution.

Vitis tiliifolia is indigenous to a wide swath of the Americas, spanning from Mexico down through Venezuela and Ecuador, as well as the diverse islands of the Caribbean. This extensive range showcases its adaptability to various tropical environments. The plant thrives in regions that provide the right balance of warmth, humidity, and soil composition conducive to its growth.

Botanically, Vitis tiliifolia exhibits the typical features of the grape family, including vine-like structure, tendrils for climbing, and lobed leaves. These structural adaptations not only aid the plant in seeking sunlight in densely vegetated areas but also in forming entangled growth, which can create dense thickets. It produces small, globular fruits that are integral to both local ecosystems and human uses.

Beyond its ecological footprint, the West Indian Grape holds cultural and economic significance. Locally, the fruit may be utilized in various culinary traditions, as well as in traditional medicinal practices. More broadly, its presence signifies a rich biodiversity that supports numerous animal species relying on its fruit and foliage.

In summary, Vitis tiliifolia or the West Indian Grape, is a resilient and ecologically integral vine with a rich distribution across the Americas and the Caribbean, encapsulating not just botanical interest but also cultural importance in the regions it inhabits.

Common Names

Eng: west indian grape
En: West Indian grape, Cucumber-tree
Es: Bejuco de agua, Agraz, Agrá, Bejuco Negro
: West indian grape

Synonyms

• Vitis intramarginalis (Baker ex Jenman)
• Vitis caribaea (DC.)
• Vitis havanica (Regel)
• Vitis vinifera var. tiliifolia ((Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schult.) Kuntze)
• Vitis glomerata (Raf.)
• Vitis vinifera var. caribaea ((DC.) Kuntze)
• Vitis maritima (Raf.)
• Vitis vinifera var. denticulata (Kuntze)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Venezuela (native)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 16, 2021 by Manuel Antonio Alfaro Alpízar (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 16, 2021 by Manuel Antonio Alfaro Alpízar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 2, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 2, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2020 by ricardo borjas (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 21, 2017 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 21, 2017 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 2, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 21, 2017 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Bark

Taken Jul 16, 2021 by Manuel Antonio Alfaro Alpízar (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5372391)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:69103-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Vitis tiliifolia Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schult.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Vine

Growth