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Tetrastigma voinierianum (Chestnut Vine, Lizard Plant) - This aggressive large evergreen woody vine (or liana) climbs by means of long tendrils and can climb and clamber to 30 feet from the base with thick chocolate brown ropelike stems. It large, shiny thick grape-like leaves are divided into three to five wavy downwardly inclined leaflets with reddish brown colored hairs on the underside and young shoots also covered in these hairs. The small greenish flowers appear in early summer in branched inflorescence holding rounded umbels of many flowers - though interesting they are not showy and also not commonly seen.
Plant in part sun (coastal) to shade and give ample water in summer months. Hardy to 25° F. Can die down to ground in a frost but recovers quickly in late spring. This vine can cover a large area on something that supports it such as a chain link fence and occasional maintenance may be required to keep it in check. Makes a great and quite durable house plant and is occasionally seen sold in a hanging basket.
The name for the genus comes from the Greek words 'tetras' meaning four and 'stigma' which is the tip of the female pistil in a flower, in reference to the four-lobed stigma. This plant from the tropical forests of North Vietnam and Laos was first described by the French Botanist Charles Baltet from a specimen sent to him by French veterinary surgeon M. Voinier, reportedly from High Laos but also sometimes listed as from Tonkin (North Vietnamam). It was described as Vitis voinieriana to honor M. Voinier in Reene de l'horticulture Belge in 1902 and then placed in the genus Tetrastigma by François Gagnepain in 1910. We have grown this interesting and attractive large vine since 1997.
The information displayed on this page about Tetrastigma voinierianum is based on the research we have conducted about it in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about this plant as it grows in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant have performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we have received from others and welcome hearing from anyone with information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information that will aid others to better grow it.
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