BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Vitis californica | California Wild Grape 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
California wild grape is a native, usually dioecious, deciduous woody
vine.  Stems are from 6.6 to 60 feet (2-20 m) long.  When support such
as trees or shrubs is available, California wild grape attaches to and
climbs the support using branched tendrils located opposite its leaves.
It has a sprawling and bushlike form when support is unavailable.
California wild grape leaves are from 2.8 to 5.6 inches (7-14 cm) broad.
The fruit is a pulpy berry.  The seeds have a thick, hard testa; hard
endosperm; and minute embryo [19,21,24].


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Phanerophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
California wild grape reproduces from seed [13].  Plants require
outcrossing to effect pollination [23].  Seeds are presumably
disseminated by frugivorous animals.


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
California wild grape grows in mesic riparian areas such as swales,
streambanks, and canyon bottoms [19,30].  It is found at elevations
below 4,000 feet (1,219 m) [19].


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Faculative Seral Species

California wild grape is found in climax valley oak riparian forests.
It is also named as a component of communities (such as Fremont
cottonwood and Great Valley mixed-hardwood riparian forests) that
undergo recurrent flooding [10].


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
California wild grape flowers from May to June [19].  Fruits ripen in
September.  Leaves are shed from mid-October to November (pers. obs.).

Related categories for Species: Vitis californica | California Wild Grape