Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Vitaceae

Genus:

Vitis

Species:

Vitis californica

USDA Symbol:

VICA5

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Vine

Height:

1000 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

may,jun

Bloom Colors:

green

Wildlife Benefits

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Reported Fauna Sightings

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, mammals, butterflies

Fall Color:

red, orange, yellow

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from the root crown following fire; commonly found in fire-prone riparian and woodland habitats.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

thrives along riverbanks and in open woodlands

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days

Germination Time:

14–60 days

Notes:

Seeds require cold stratification; germination can be erratic and may take several weeks after stratification.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI