VITACEAE - Grape Family
Habit - shrubs or small trees, vines
Leaves alternate, simple, or
compound
Flowers bisexual or unisexual, actinomorphic, infl. a raceme,
panicle, or cyme
11 genera, 700 species
Largest genus is Cissus (300 species)
Vitis (Photograph)
(Illustration)
- grape
Parthenocissus -
Virginia Creeper
Economic importance - grapes, wine, raisins. Wine is produced by the
action of yeast on fructose found in grapes. The only requirements to
ferment alcohol are a simple sugar such as fructose, yeast and water.
Grapes have all three because yeast naturally occur on the
grapeskins. The first production of wine by humans was probably an
accident.
Medicinal uses - Vitis leaf tea for diarrhea and
stomachaches, externally for aches and fevers; Parthenocissus
root and leaf teas used for various ailments but berries may be toxic
and leaves are toxic, causing dermatitis in autumn.
Diagnostic characteristics - woody, climbing by tendrils, infl.
opposite leaves, fruit a berry.
IMAGE GALLERY
FLOWERING
PLANT GATEWAY
