Vitis betulifolia

Details Top

Internal ID UUID64404fcf6828b340104323
Scientific name Vitis betulifolia
Authority Diels & Gilg
First published in Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 29: 461 (1900)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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Important notice
  • Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
  • Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
  • Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
  • Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Among communities in southwestern China Vitis betulifolia has long been taken as a simple infusion of its leaves, sometimes with the tender shoots, to ease colds, coughs, and mild fevers. The Tujia of western Hunan also drink a leaf infusion for indigestion and diarrhea, and they apply crushed fresh leaf poultices to sprains or bruises, a use recorded by Tang et al., 2002. In northern Thailand, clusters of the vine have occasionally been boiled for a short decoction given to elders as a tonic, while in Nepal the whole aboveground vine is likewise decocted for colic and “general weakness,” practices documented by Ghimire et al., 2008 and Shrestha et al., 1999. In parts of southwestern China the tendrils are macerated in warm water to produce a light tea used by herbalists to support digestion and joint discomfort, with the herbal pharmacoepia of China noting topical applications of leaf poultices for swellings and bruises.

Phytochemical studies of Vitis betulifolia support its traditional uses. The leaves and tendrils contain high levels of flavonoids, notably quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol and their glycosides, together with stilbenoids such as trans‑resveratrol and astringent proanthocyanidins (condensed tannins); phenolic acids like gallic and caffeic acids are also present (Li et al., 2009; Zhao et al., 2004). These compounds can account for the anti‑inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties described by traditional users, and explain why an astringent decoction or infusion is perceived to sooth sore throats and calm gastrointestinal upset.

For a mild leaf infusion: measure 1 part dried leaves (or fresh equivalent) to 20 parts water by weight; for example, 5 g dried leaves steeped in 100 mL near‑boiling water for 3–5 minutes, then strained. Use 1–2 cups per day, and stop if stomach upset or rash develops. For a 1:5 ethanol tincture (w/v): loosely pack 20 g dried leaves into a jar, cover with 100 mL 45–50% ethanol, seal, and shake daily for 2–3 weeks; use 1–2 mL up to three times daily. Pregnant or nursing people should avoid internal use, and anyone taking blood‑thinners or liver‑affecting drugs should consult a qualified practitioner, as resveratrol and condensed tannins can interact with anticoagulants and liver metabolism (Münzel et al., 2017).

Vitis betulifolia is still mainly wild‑harvested in East Asia, though occasional plantings appear around homes and gardens, and several small distributors in China and Thailand sell dried leaves for tea. Modern research is actively investigating its antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory effects to clarify mechanisms behind the longstanding folk practices.

General Uses Top

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Common products:
Fruits are eaten fresh or processed locally into jams and preserves. They may be processed into juice and fermented beverages, but the species is not a major commercial fruit crop.

Scientific/model-organism use:
Genetic diversity and breeding value for downy and powdery mildew resistance have been documented. Molecular markers and genomic resources support Vitis betulifolia as a donor for disease-resistance traits in breeding programs.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
Fresh fruit; fruit jams/jellies; juice; wine or other alcoholic fermentation products where accessions are used in crossing or as minor blending components.

Industrial and craft applications:
Canewood from vines is used as tying/trellis material and in small rustic craft items, but commercial industrial use is negligible.

Colorants and tanning:
Leaves and skins contain tannins (hydrolyzable and/or condensed) used historically for tanning hides and imparting brown hues to textiles in some regions, though industrial-scale tanning is not documented for this taxon.

Properties relevant to use:
Resistance traits are associated with polygenic loci and have been incorporated into breeding pipelines. Fruit chemistry typical of Vitis includes sugars, acids, and anthocyanins in skin and flesh; specific profiles for this species are variably reported.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Occurs in parts of China and adjacent regions. Collections for breeding are sourced from wild or semi-wild populations; management practices and local trade are not well-documented. Use pressures and conservation status remain variably characterized.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Vitis shimenensis W.T.Wang Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin 9(1): 77 (1989)
Vitis hexamera Gagnep. Bull. Soc. Bot. France 113: 233 (1947)
Vitis trichoclada Diels & Gilg ex Diels Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 29: 461 (1900)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English birch-leaf grape
Arabic كرمة قضبانية الأوراق
Chinese 小果野葡萄藤
Chinese 桦叶葡萄
Chinese 桦叶葡萄根皮
Chinese 樺葉葡萄

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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No germination or propagation data was added yet.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Asia-temperate
    • China
      • China North-central
      • China South-central
      • China Southeast

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0001146037
Tropicos 34002742
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:68577-1
The Plant List tro-34002742
PaleoBotany 19195
Open Tree Of Life 568880
NCBI Taxonomy 345145
IPNI 68577-1
GBIF 5658811
Freebase /m/0bwhmx9
EOL 2874839
USDA GRIN 41853
Wikipedia Vitis_betulifolia
CMAUP NPO6134

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Below is displayed the reference genome only!
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Accession Assembly
Name Level Submitter Released Coverage Size
GCA_044588575.1 V107.hap2_v1.0 Chromosome Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences 2024-11-08 88 509.88 Mb

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
The complete chloroplast genome of Ziziphus mairei Dode 1908 (Rhamnaceae), an endangered perennial plant in Yunnan, China Wang S, Liu Y, Li R, Wang S, Huang Y Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 24-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10763858
doi:10.1080/23802359.2023.2290844
PMID:38173918
Postharvest light-induced flavonoids accumulation in mango (Mangifera indica L.) peel is associated with the up-regulation of flavonoids-related and light signal pathway genes Zhu W, Wu H, Yang C, Shi B, Zheng B, Ma X, Zhou K, Qian M Front Plant Sci 13-Mar-2023
PMCID:PMC10040657
doi:10.3389/fpls.2023.1136281
PMID:36993851
Tree peony PsMYB44 negatively regulates petal blotch distribution by inhibiting dihydroflavonol-4-reductase gene expression Luan Y, Chen Z, Tang Y, Sun J, Meng J, Tao J, Zhao D Ann Bot 19-Dec-2022
PMCID:PMC9992934
doi:10.1093/aob/mcac155
PMID:36534917
Detecting signals of adaptive evolution in grape plastomes with a focus on the Cretaceous–Palaeogene (K/Pg) transition Zecca G, Panzeri D, Grassi F Ann Bot 25-Oct-2022
PMCID:PMC9851337
doi:10.1093/aob/mcac128
PMID:36282948
Variability in the Content of Trans-Resveratrol, Trans-ε-Viniferin and R2-Viniferin in Grape Cane of Seven Vitis vinifera L. Varieties during a Three-Year Study Tříska J, Vrchotová N, Balík J, Soural I, Sotolář R Molecules 03-Jun-2017
PMCID:PMC6152689
doi:10.3390/molecules22060928
PMID:28587209
Eating from the wild: diversity of wild edible plants used by Tibetans in Shangri-la region, Yunnan, China Ju Y, Zhuo J, Liu B, Long C J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 19-Apr-2013
PMCID:PMC3648497
doi:10.1186/1746-4269-9-28
PMID:23597086
Oligostilbenes from vitis betulifolia Wenwu Li, Bogang Li, Yaozu Chen Elsevier BV 25-Jul-2002
doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00905-9

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives
4-Hydroxybenzoic acid 135 Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C(=O)O)O 138.12 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzyl alcohols
4-Hydroxybenzyl Alcohol 125 Click to see 124.14 unknown via CMAUP database
> Hydrocarbons / Saturated hydrocarbons / Alkanes
Dotriacontane 11008 Click to see 450.90 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acyl glycosides / Fatty acyl glycosides of mono- and disaccharides
Rosavin 9823887 Click to see 428.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Diterpene glycosides
(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[[(1E,2S,5S,7S,10S,11E,14R,15S)-14-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-2,15-dimethyl-5-tricyclo[8.7.0.02,7]heptadeca-1(17),11-dienyl]oxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol 101389367 Click to see 576.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(+)-Ursolic Acid 64945 Click to see 456.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Bacopaside I 21599442 Click to see CC(=CC1COC23CC4(CO2)C(C3C1(C)O)CCC5C4(CCC6C5(CCC(C6(C)C)OC7C(C(C(CO7)O)OC8C(C(C(C(O8)COS(=O)(=O)O)O)O)O)OC9C(C(C(O9)CO)O)O)C)C)C 979.10 unknown via CMAUP database
Bacopaside Ii 9876264 Click to see 929.10 unknown via CMAUP database
Bacopaside III 15922618 Click to see CC(=CC1COC23CC4(CO2)C(C3C1(C)O)CCC5C4(CCC6C5(CCC(C6(C)C)OC7C(C(C(CO7)O)OC8C(C(C(C(O8)COS(=O)(=O)O)O)O)O)O)C)C)C 847.00 unknown via CMAUP database
Bacopaside IV 10865594 Click to see CC(=CC1CC(C2C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C36CC2(O1)OC6)C)(C)C)OC7C(C(C(CO7)O)OC8C(C(C(C(O8)CO)O)O)O)O)C)(C)O)C 767.00 unknown via CMAUP database
Bacopaside N1 11949626 Click to see 797.00 unknown via CMAUP database
Bacopaside N2 21574494 Click to see 797.00 unknown via CMAUP database
Bacopaside V 11072737 Click to see CC(=CC1COC23CC4(CO2)C(C3C1(C)O)CCC5C4(CCC6C5(CCC(C6(C)C)OC7C(C(C(CO7)O)OC8C(C(C(C(O8)CO)O)O)O)O)C)C)C 767.00 unknown via CMAUP database
Bacopaside X 10629555 Click to see 899.10 unknown via CMAUP database
Bacoside A3 91827005 Click to see 929.10 unknown via CMAUP database
Bacosine 71312547 Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C(=O)O)C)(C)C)O)C)C 456.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Bascopasaponin C 21599443 Click to see 899.10 unknown via CMAUP database
Betulin 72326 Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)CO 442.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Lupeol 259846 Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)C 426.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cucurbitacins
[(E,6R)-6-hydroxy-2-methyl-5-oxo-6-[(7S,8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,16R,17R)-2,7,16-trihydroxy-4,4,9,13,14-pentamethyl-3,11-dioxo-8,10,12,15,16,17-hexahydro-7H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl]hept-3-en-2-yl] acetate 16216753 Click to see CC(=O)OC(C)(C)C=CC(=O)C(C)(C1C(CC2(C1(CC(=O)C3(C2C(C=C4C3C=C(C(=O)C4(C)C)O)O)C)C)C)O)O 572.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Cucurbitacin E 5281319 Click to see 556.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Ergostane steroids / Ergosterols and derivatives
24-Methyldesmosterol 193567 Click to see 398.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
Sitogluside 5742590 Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C 576.80 unknown via CMAUP database
Stigmasterol Glucoside 6602508 Click to see 574.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Cyclic alcohols and derivatives
(1E,2S,5S,7S,10S,11E,14R,15S)-14-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-2,15-dimethyltricyclo[8.7.0.02,7]heptadeca-1(17),11-dien-5-ol 101389368 Click to see 414.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzodioxoles
7-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-8-hydroxy-1,3-dimethoxy-6-methyl-5-prop-2-enylbicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one 75069493 Click to see 372.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00905-9
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzofurans
Loliolide 100332 Click to see CC1(CC(CC2(C1=CC(=O)O2)C)O)C 196.24 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / 2-arylbenzofuran flavonoids
(1R,2R,3S,9R,10R,17R)-2-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,9,17-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)-8-oxapentacyclo[8.7.2.04,18.07,19.011,16]nonadeca-4(18),5,7(19),11(16),12,14-hexaene-5,13,15-triol 162898814 Click to see 680.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00905-9
(1R,8R,9R,16R)-8,16-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-9-[(1R,8R,9R,16R)-4,6,12-trihydroxy-8,16-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-15-oxatetracyclo[8.6.1.02,7.014,17]heptadeca-2(7),3,5,10(17),11,13-hexaen-9-yl]-15-oxatetracyclo[8.6.1.02,7.014,17]heptadeca-2(7),3,5,10(17),11,13-hexaene-4,6,12-triol 154496739 Click to see 906.90 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00905-9
(2R,3R,10R,11R)-3,11-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,12-dioxapentacyclo[8.6.1.12,5.013,17.09,18]octadeca-1(17),5,7,9(18),13,15-hexaene-7,15-diol 100926847 Click to see 452.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00905-9
3,11-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,12-dioxapentacyclo[8.6.1.12,5.013,17.09,18]octadeca-1(17),5,7,9(18),13,15-hexaene-7,15-diol 163006923 Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2C3C4=C5C(C(OC5=CC(=C4)O)C6=CC=C(C=C6)O)C7=C3C(=CC(=C7)O)O2)O 452.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00905-9
5-[(2S,3S)-4-[(1R,2R)-1,2-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-6-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-3-yl]benzene-1,3-diol 162844412 Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2C(C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)C(C(C4=CC=C(C=C4)O)O)O)C5=CC(=CC(=C5)O)O)O 488.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00905-9
5-[(2S,3S)-4-[1,2-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-6-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-3-yl]benzene-1,3-diol 100926849 Click to see 488.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00905-9
5-[(2S,3S)-5-[(E)-2-[(2R,3S)-3-[(2R,3R)-3-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-6-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-4-yl]-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-5-yl]ethenyl]-6-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-3-yl]benzene-1,3-diol 162962106 Click to see 906.90 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00905-9
5-[4-[1,2-Dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-6-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-3-yl]benzene-1,3-diol 162844410 Click to see 488.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00905-9
Epsilon-viniferin, (+)- 5315233 Click to see 454.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00905-9
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Coumaric acids and derivatives
3',4'-Dimethoxycinnamic acid 16848 Click to see 208.21 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acid esters / Hydroxycinnamic acid glycosides
Ferulic acid glucoside 53978589 Click to see 356.32 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones
Apigenin 5280443 Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O 270.24 unknown via CMAUP database
Luteolin 5280445 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O)O 286.24 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols
Quercetin 5280343 Click to see 302.23 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides
Luteolin 7-O-glucoside 5280637 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O)O 448.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Linear 1,3-diarylpropanoids / Chalcones and dihydrochalcones / 2-Hydroxy-dihydrochalcones
1-[2,4,6-Trihydroxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenyl]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-propanone 19744872 Click to see 342.40 unknown via CMAUP database

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