Species Synonyms

Within botanical literature, the scientific nomenclature accepted for the classification of this species is Vitis coignetiae Pulliat. Throughout various historical treatises and collection registers, this vine has also been identified under the names Vitis labrusca Thunberg, Vitis rugosa Naudin, Vitis labrusca grandifolia Regel, and Vitis gigantea Degron. Additionally, the designations Madame Coignet Pulliat, Vigne Caplat, and Vigne de montagne Maget are well-documented.

Historical Background and Introduction

Vitis coignetiae stands out as one of the most robust species within the genus Vitis, displaying an exceptional vegetative vigor that easily rivals the renowned American climbing vines Vitis californica and Vitis candicans. This species commands significant scientific interest due to its unique physiological adaptation to temperate and predominantly cold climates. Observations indicate that along with, and perhaps even exceeding, Vitis labrusca and Vitis vinifera, this grapevine demonstrates the highest tolerance to extremely low temperatures. Notably, the researcher Degron encountered wild populations of this vine thriving on Japanese mountain summits in immediate proximity to glaciers and areas of persistent snow.

The introduction of this grapevine to France occurred around 1880 through the efforts of Madame Coignet. In the subsequent years, following a specialized mission successfully carried out by Degron in 1883 and 1884, a substantial number of live specimens and seedlings of this species were successfully imported into European ampelographic collections.

Geographical Distribution

The primary and native habitat of Vitis coignetiae spans the mountainous and temperate regions of Japan, where the vine is commonly found growing along riverbanks. Wild populations are also native to Korea, Sakhalin Island, and most Asian territories situated between the 43rd and 44th degrees of north latitude. The greatest abundance and highest density of its wild stands are recorded on the island of Yeso (Hokkaido). Furthermore, sporadic records in historical literature suggest the presence of this grapevine within Manchuria.

Agricultural and Breeding Significance

During the height of the phylloxera crisis, particularly around 1885, European viticulturists frequently faced the decline and failure of American rootstocks in highly calcareous soils. The extreme vigor of Vitis coignetiae, combined with the close morphological relationship observed between certain Asian vines and the American species Vitis labrusca, led researchers to consider utilizing this vine as a component for creating phylloxera-resistant rootstocks. However, the agricultural and biological aptitudes of Vitis coignetiae were rapidly determined by experts, and the plant was ultimately excluded from commercial viticulture as a rootstock.

Botanical and Morphological Description

  • Growth Habit and Trunk: The vine possesses extreme vegetative vigor, developing a highly robust trunk with relatively soft wood. In natural forests and along riverbanks, the shoots climb to the very summits of tall trees, whereas at high altitudes, the bush can assume a compact, low growth habit. The older bark divides into thin but dense and thick longitudinal ribbons of a reddish-gray color. The anatomical structure of the seeds is illustrated in figures (Fig. 712–713).
  • Annual and Herbaceous Shoots: Developed canes are exceptionally long, sturdy, cylindrical in cross-section, with a slightly sinuous growth trajectory and moderately defined nodes. The surface of the cane is covered with fine longitudinal striations. A distinct species characteristic is the presence of a dense, felted pubescence of a rusty-russet coloration, which especially thickly covers the apexes of young herbaceous shoots. The internodes are of medium length. Mature annual canes acquire a glossy, light mahogany-brown coloration, which becomes duller closer to the deep dormancy phase. The tendrils are intermittent, thin, short, and strictly bifurcated (bifid). The inflorescences are long, weakly branched, and densely covered with rusty fluff in their herbaceous state.
  • Leaf: The leaves are large or very large, with dimensions reaching up to 28 cm in length and 30 cm in width, making them the largest among all known species of the genus Vitis. The leaf blade is entire and circular (orbicular) in shape, with its length only slightly exceeding its width (typical average dimensions are 20 by 17 cm). Asymmetry of the lobes is very weakly pronounced. On young leaves, the upper lateral lobes are barely indicated. The leaf blade is thin or very thin and flat, occasionally showing a weakly defined bullate relief along the path of the primary lateral veins. The upper surface of the leaf is glabrous and colored a dull dark green. The lower surface features a whitish-green or rusty shade (depending on the ecological form) and is covered with a uniform, moderately dense, felted pubescence of a rusty coloration. On the largest leaves, this pubescence becomes sparser, cobwebby, and acquires a whitish tint. The anatomical veins are well-marked but weakly prominent on the lower surface. The petiolar sinus is remarkably deep, V-shaped, and narrowly open. The marginal teeth are single-rowed, regular, serrated, weakly pronounced, and clearly defined only due to a sharp mucro. The petiole is long, relatively slender, and bears weak pubescence.
  • Inflorescences and Berries: The cluster is medium in size, occasionally large, cylindrical or nearly ovoid in shape, and simple (without pronounced lateral wings or shoulders). The peduncle is short and slender. The pedicels are relatively long, terminating in a flat, disc-shaped cushion. Large, highly conspicuous verrucosities stand out distinctly both on the pedicels themselves and on the surface of the cushion. The berries are spherical, medium or below average in size (dimensions can vary among individual seedlings), and are arranged moderately loose within the cluster. The skin is colored a dull dark purple, almost black. A characteristic feature of the berries is the presence of an intensive, thick purple coloring matter localized directly beneath the skin. The pulp is lacking juiciness, and the juice is released in small quantities. The flavor is harsh and astringent but features a noticeable sugar content, and is completely free of any specific foxy aftertaste.
  • Seeds: Each berry develops between 2 and 4 seeds of medium size (4 mm long, approximately 3 mm wide). The seeds are three-sided (trigonal), slightly elongated, with a short beak. The coloration of the seed coat is glossy and of a deep dark mahogany hue. The ventral furrow is wide. The chalaza is weakly defined, rounded on the side of the beak, and gradually narrows, transitioning into a short raphe that disappears before reaching the ventral furrow. The keel on the ventral side is very sharply defined. The seed depressions on the sides of the keel are elongated, narrow, and present as linear indentations situated tightly against the central ridge.