The species Vitis caribæa was established and classified by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle in his work Prodromus (I, p. 634). Throughout the history of research, this species has been mentioned in scientific literature under various synonyms, including: V. indica L., V. indica Swartz, V. tiliæfolia Humb., V. acuminata and V. arachnoidea Oersted, V. fruticosa E. de Lafon, V. hederæ folio serrato Plum., V. sylvestris Brown, V. fructu minore Sloane, V. humectans B., as well as under the generic names Cissampelos H.-D.-C. and Cissus fuliginosa H.-B.-C. Fournier.
Geographical Range and Botanical Status
Vitis caribæa is a Central American species whose range is strictly confined to tropical and subtropical regions. In viticultural literature and the Cambridge herbarium records, there are erroneous mentions of this species occurring in the United States (in the states of Florida and Arkansas). Viticultural researchers established that these herbarium specimens represent natural hybrids of the species Coriacea × Cinerea.
The presence of the original species Vitis caribæa is confirmed in the hot regions of Mexico, Cuba, Porto Rico, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, and Panama. In Panama, the vine is frequently attacked by a specific rust fungus (Uredinea), which is the only known parasite of this family on grapevines in this zone. Vitis caribæa has never been cultivated in Europe and is of interest exclusively as an object for botanical collections.
Ampelographic Similarity and Variability
The closest related species demonstrating the greatest morphological similarity to Vitis caribæa are the Asian species Vitis lanata and the Mexican species Vitis Blancoii. Due to the abundant downy covering of its vegetative organs, this species also shares a certain relationship with Vitis Labrusca, particularly with those forms possessing a rusty tomentum. Despite the views held by certain early botanists, Vitis caribæa is recognized as a well-delimited and fully independent species, reliably identified by its seed structure, fruit shape, and leaf characteristics.
Morphological Description of Vine Organs
Vine and Shoots
The vine possesses high vigor and a trailing growth habit. The trunk is strong, composed of soft wood. The bark is rusty-red, separating into narrow, thick, loosely adhering longitudinal strips.
Growing shoots have small conical buds of a rusty hue. The internodes are relatively short, and the nodes are weakly marked. Mature shoots (canes) are characterized by medium thickness, a straight shape, and the presence of fine longitudinal furrows creating a ribbed surface. By the time of maturity, the wood acquires a matte, dull wine-brown color.
The tips of young shoots feature a dense, tufted downy covering of a whitish-rusty shade. In the herbaceous state, rare club-shaped hairs are found on young shoots near the nodes. Tendrils are intermittent, slender, bi- or trifurcated, and covered with thick down in the herbaceous state.
Leaves
Young leaves open flat immediately upon emerging from the bud. Both sides of the leaf blade are covered with a very dense rusty tomentum during this period.
Mature leaves are large, reaching up to 17 cm in length and 15 cm in width. The leaf blade is orbicular, mostly entire, and without distinct lobes. Occasional three-lobed or five-lobed forms with irregular lateral sinuses are encountered; the leaf blade is flat, thin, and flexible.
The petiolar sinus is deep, widely open, and V-shaped. Along the edge of the leaf, there are small but wide regular teeth of a pointed shape. In some cases, the teeth barely separate from the general outline, marked on the rounded edge of the leaf only by a sharp point. The veins are relatively fine but highly prominent on the lower surface of the leaf.
The upper surface of the leaf blade has a dull dark green color, with remnants of tufted hairs persisting along the main veins. The lower surface of the leaf is uniformly covered with rusty down, which under certain growing conditions may acquire a whitish tint. In some cases, the lower downy covering becomes very dense and felted. The petiole is long, strong, and positioned almost in line with the leaf blade.
Clusters and Berries
The cluster is predominantly small and irregular. In certain forms, the thyrses are elongated, and the formed cluster acquires a conical shape, remaining loose with very spaced berries. The peduncle is short and slender. The pedicels are short, thick, and end in a flattened cushion.
The berries are small, spherical, and slightly sub-discoid (flattened at the poles). Upon full maturity, they acquire a matte dark violet, almost black color. The skin of the berries is thick, and there is little flesh and juice.
Seeds
The seeds are small, measuring 4 mm in length and 3 mm in width (see Fig. 646–647). The shape of the seeds is wide, short, and three-sided (trigonal), with a dark mahogany color and a glossy finish. The beak is short, sharp, and abruptly detached from the body of the seed. The chalazal depressions on the ventral side are elongated and shallow. The chalaza is longitudinal, elongated, originating almost from the beak itself, with a rudiment visible at its base. The raphe is absent: the longitudinal depression of the chalaza continues as a furrow directly toward the summit of the seed.
