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Common Forest Grape
Rhoicissus tomentosa
SA tree no: 456.5
English: Common Forest Grape, Wild Grape, Bush Grape, Cape Grape, African Grape, Forest Grape, Monkey Rope, Wild Vine, Simple-leaved Grape, Eastern Province Wild Grape
Afrikaans: Bosdruif, Wildedruif, Bostou, Bobbejaantou, Kaapsewildedruif, Bosdruif
Xhosa: isaQoni, iDiliya
Zulu: isiNwazi, Isinwazana
Siswati: isiNwati
S. Sotho: Moaparo
Tswana: Kundzu
Venda: Dyathoho, Makhulu-wa-khundwi, Khundwi
Misapplied or old scientific names: Cissus capensis, Rhoicissus capensis, Vitis capensis, Cissus tomentosa, Vitis tomentosa
Rhoicissus tomentosa, commonly known as Common Forest Grape or Wild Grape, is a robust indigenous evergreen climbing shrub or liana widespread across the coastal and inland forests, bushveld, and scrub of South Africa. It is easily identifiable by its large, often lobed or heart-shaped leaves that are typically covered in soft, reddish-brown hairs, and its prominent clusters of edible, dark purple, grape-like berries.
This vigorous climber is an excellent choice for providing dense shade and screening over pergolas, fences, or walls, while its fruits offer a vital food source for a wide array of birds and small mammals, making it a valuable addition to any wildlife-friendly garden.
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Distinguishing features
A robust, evergreen climbing shrub or liana that uses tendrils to climb.
Features large, typically three-lobed or heart-shaped leaves that are often densely covered in soft, reddish-brown hairs (tomentose) on the underside.
Produces small, inconspicuous, yellowish-green flowers in branched clusters.
Bears round, grape-like berries that ripen from green to bright red and then to dark purple or black.
The undersides of the leaves and young stems are often distinctly hairy.
Overall appearance:
Rhoicissus tomentosa creates a lush, dense canopy of foliage, providing deep shade and a verdant backdrop. Its large, often velvety leaves give it a substantial appearance, while the seasonal display of grape-like clusters adds to its charm, making it a prominent feature in any garden with vertical space.
Height:
As a climber, it can reach impressive heights of 5 to 25 metres or more, scrambling high into tree canopies or over large structures.
Width:
Can spread extensively, covering areas of several metres horizontally, depending on the support structure.
Leaves:
Simple, but often deeply 3-lobed or broadly heart-shaped (cordate), sometimes almost round or broadly ovate, 5–18 cm long and 5–15 cm wide.
They are glossy dark green and somewhat leathery on the upper surface.
The underside is typically covered in dense, soft, reddish-brown hairs (tomentose), which gives it a velvety feel, and has prominent veins.
Margins are entire or sometimes sparsely toothed.
New growth is also often covered in reddish-brown hairs.
Flowers:
Small, inconspicuous, greenish-yellow to yellowish-green.
Borne in small to medium-sized, branched clusters (panicles) in the leaf axils.
Dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants) or sometimes bisexual flowers.
Flowering season:
Flowers mainly in spring to early summer, typically from September to November.
Fruits:
Fleshy, spherical berries, resembling small grapes, 1.5–2 cm in diameter.
Borne in pendulous clusters.
Ripen from green to bright red, and then to dark purple or black.
Each fruit contains 1 to 2 seeds.
Seeds:
Ovoid, hard, typically dark brown or black, enclosed within the fleshy fruit. Dispersed by birds and small mammals.
Bark:
Stems are relatively smooth, greyish-brown to reddish-brown, often covered in fine hairs when young, becoming more woody and sometimes ridged with age. Older, thicker stems can develop peeling bark.
Stems:
Robust, flexible, woody stems that climb using branched tendrils that emerge opposite the leaves. Young stems and tendrils are often densely covered in reddish-brown hairs.
Roots:
Possesses a fibrous root system that helps anchor the climber. Generally non-invasive if given proper support.
Soil type:
Prefers well-drained, humus-rich soils. It can adapt to a range of soil types, from sandy to loamy, and thrives in fertile conditions, especially in forest environments.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun to partial shade. In its natural forest habitat, it often climbs into the canopy, reaching for sunlight, but can tolerate deeper shade as an understorey plant. It is moderately drought-tolerant once established but performs best with regular moisture. It is sensitive to severe frost, and young plants need protection, but established plants can tolerate light frost. It is relatively tolerant of coastal conditions, including some salt spray and wind, especially when sheltered.
Edibility:
The ripe, dark purple fruits are edible for humans, having a sweet and slightly tart taste, similar to wild grapes. They can be eaten fresh or used to make preserves or jelly.
Toxicity:
Generally considered non-toxic to humans. The fruits are edible.
Uses:
Ornamental Climber: An excellent indigenous climbing plant for covering pergolas, trellises, fences, walls, old trees, or large unsightly structures. Provides dense screening, shade, and a lush, tropical appearance.
Groundcover: Can be allowed to scramble as a dense groundcover in suitable areas, suppressing weeds.
Wildlife Food Source: The fruits are a valuable food source for numerous fruit-eating birds (e.g., pigeons, turacos, starlings, bulbuls) and small mammals (e.g., monkeys), making it an excellent plant for attracting biodiversity.
Edible Fruit: The ripe berries are palatable to humans and can be consumed fresh or processed.
Traditional Uses: The berries are used in traditional medicine for various ailments, and the leaves have also been used, particularly for stomach complaints and to treat wounds.
Ecology:
Pollination: The small, greenish flowers are likely pollinated by generalist insects.
Seed Dispersal: The brightly coloured, fleshy fruits are consumed by fruit-eating birds and mammals, which are primary dispersers of its seeds (endozoochory).
Habitat Provision: Provides dense cover and nesting sites for birds and other small animals.
Forest Dynamics: As a vigorous liana, it plays a significant role in forest structure and dynamics, creating arboreal pathways.
Distribution and habitat:
Rhoicissus tomentosa is widely distributed throughout the eastern and southern parts of South Africa.
South African Provinces: Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, Gauteng. Also extends into Swaziland, Mozambique, and other tropical African countries.
Habitat: Primarily found in coastal forests, evergreen forests, dune forests, riverine bush, and bushveld, often climbing high into the canopy of other trees. It is particularly common in forest margins and moist, sheltered areas.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Rhoicissus is derived from the Greek words 'rhoia' meaning "pomegranate" (referring to the berry-like fruits) and 'cissus' meaning "ivy" (referring to the climbing habit).
The species epithet tomentosa is Latin for "hairy" or "densely woolly," referring to the distinctive soft, reddish-brown hairs covering the undersides of its leaves and young stems.
Common names like "Wild Grape" and "Wilde-druif" directly refer to its edible, grape-like fruits.
Historical aspects:
Rhoicissus tomentosa has been an integral part of South African forest and bushveld ecosystems for centuries, providing food and habitat for wildlife. Its vigorous growth and edible fruits have made it a recognisable and valued plant in its natural range. In horticulture, it is increasingly appreciated as a hardy, indigenous alternative to exotic climbers, especially for creating lush, naturalistic garden spaces.
Interesting facts
This "Wild Grape" is truly a "hairy" marvel – flip over its large, heart-shaped leaves, and you'll find them covered in a dense, soft, reddish-brown fuzz!
Unlike some wild berries, the dark purple fruits of this vine are actually quite tasty for humans, with a sweet-tart flavour similar to cultivated grapes, and they're also a massive hit with birds.
It's an incredibly strong climber, able to scramble up and completely cover large trees or structures, creating a natural green curtain.
Growing tips
Propagation: Easily propagated from fresh seeds (clean the pulp off before sowing) or from semi-hardwood cuttings, which root readily, especially with rooting hormone.
Planting: Prefers a position in full sun to partial shade. Requires well-drained, humus-rich soil. Provide a very strong support structure for it to climb, as it is vigorous and can become heavy.
Watering: Water regularly, especially when young and during dry periods. Once established, it is moderately drought-tolerant but performs best with consistent moisture.
Frost: Moderately frost-tender. Young plants need protection from severe frost. Established plants can tolerate light frost, but may suffer some leaf damage, though they usually recover.
Maintenance: Due to its vigorous growth, it may require regular pruning to control its size and spread, or to keep it tidy on a structure. Remove dead or tangled growth.
Pests/Diseases: Generally robust and pest-free.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Vitaceae (Latin plant name) - Order: Vitales