Clematicissus striata aka Verona Vein

Clematicissus striata is a vine that stays green all year. It belongs to the grape family, Vitaceae. Its common names include miniature grape ivy and ivy of Uruguay. Kew gives its native range as central and southern Chile. This range extends into southwestern Argentina. It grows in a temperate climate. Old names include Cissus striata, Parthenocissus striata, and Vitis striata. Plant records and nursery lists may still use these names.

This slim vine grows strongly and climbs with tendrils. It reaches a mature height of about 26–39 feet [8–12 metres]. Its spread is much less: 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre]. The RHS says it takes five to ten years to mature. Its leaves stay on the plant all year. They look glossy and feel like leather. Each leaf is palmate, with three or five lobes. Leaves reach about 0.23 feet [0.07 metres] long. The small green flowers bloom in summer but draw little notice. Glossy black berries form after the flowers.

Under glass, give the vine bright light screened from direct sun. The RHS advises peat-free compost with a loam base. Outdoors, it can grow in full sun or part shade. Choose a site that has shelter from the wind. Keep the soil moist, but make sure it drains well. It accepts chalk, loam, and sand. Soil can be acid, neutral, or alkaline. The RHS rates the plant H2. This means it cannot stand freezing. It thus needs a frost-free site to grow outdoors. Plants can also spend the summer outside.

Under glass, give a balanced liquid feed each month. Give less water in winter, and use only small amounts. Repot in spring, or renew the top layer of compost. To grow new plants in summer, take hardwood or greenwood cuttings. The RHS lists this vine for patios and pots. It also suits planting schemes for Mediterranean climates. Its leaves give interest through the year, while its tendrils let it climb.

The RHS reports few disease problems, but pests can attack under glass. Watch for red spider mites, whiteflies, and mealybugs. Check plants grown under glass for these pests. The supplied sources do not say whether people can eat the berries. They give no clear facts on toxicity to people or pets. Fruit alone does not show that a plant has food uses.