Aconite-leaved grapevine

Family Vitaceae. Native to northern China.

A small graceful woody liana (up to 3 m) with deeply divided, palmate-lobed leaves on long petioles, green, glossy, glabrous above, hairy beneath along the reddish veins. The lobes, in turn, are deeply pinnately lobed, with sparse large teeth. Young leaves are very colorful — bright purple or reddish-olive green, glossy. Small greenish flowers in loose inflorescences. Flowering lasts up to 70 days. Berries up to 0.6 cm in diameter, at first yellow or orange, ripe ones blue, cloyingly sweet. Seeds can remain viable for 3–4 years when stored in hermetically sealed containers. Soil germination after cold stratification (1–2 months) up to 80%. Sowing depth approx. 0.8–1 cm.

In the first years of life it grows slowly, then very quickly, producing seasonal growth up to 3.5 m. Winter-hardy. Valued for the lacy mosaic of its leaves. Suitable for decorating low structures, trellises, and arbors. Has many ornamental forms. In cultivation since 1868.