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| Category: Vine |
| Family: Vitaceae (Grapes) |
| Origin: Indochina (Asia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: NA |
| Bloomtime: Not Significant |
| Synonyms: [Vitis voinierana, Cissus voinierana] |
| Height: Climbing (Vine) |
| Width: Spreading |
| Exposure: Light Shade/Part Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Tetrastigma voinierianum (Chestnut Vine, Lizard Plant) - This aggressive 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 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 very 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.
The information on this page is based on research conducted about this plant in the San Marcos Growers library, from online sources, and from observations made of the crops growing in our nursery, plants in the nursery's garden and those in other gardens where we may have observed it. We also have incorporated comments received from others and welcome getting feedback from those who may have additional information, particularly if this information includes cultural information that would aid others in growing Tetrastigma voinierianum. |
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