Vitis heyneana is known by its two subspecies: V. h. subsp. heyneana (autonym), and V. h. subsp. ficifolia. In Chinese, the former is called mao pu tao, meaning wool grape; it has leaves that range in shape from oval, ovate-oblong, to ovate-quinquangular. The latter subspecies is called sang ye pu tao, or mulberry-leaf grape, and its leaves are usually trilobate to cleft (a few leaves interspersed on a vine will be undivided).[1][2][3] However, V. h. subsp. ficifolia may be a homotypic synonym of Vitis ficifolia Bunge, as the same type was used for both.[4]
Other notable differences exist as well:
V. heyneana subsp. ficifolia shares territory with V. h. subsp. heyneana in the Chinese provinces of Henan, Shaanxi, Shandong, and Shanxi; and it alone occupies Hebei and Jiangsu; but of the two subspecies, V. h. subsp. heyneana has by far the wider range; in addition to those already mentioned, V. h. subsp. heyneana
is found in the provinces of Anhui, Chongqing, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan, and Zhejiang), as well as the countries India, Bhutan, and Nepal.[1][2][3]
The success of V. h. subsp. heyneana in multiplying itself in so many places, in contrast to the relatively limited range V. h. subsp. ficifolia correlates similarly with how well it manages to survive at higher altitudes[2][3]
- V. h. subsp. heyneana : 100–3200 meters above sea-level
- V. h. subsp. ficifolia : 100–1300 meters above sea-level
Comparing the two, V. h. subsp. heyneana has periods of bloom and fruiting longer than those of V. h. subsp. ficifolia —
[2][3]
Flowering months :
- V. h. subsp. heyneana : April – June or July
- V. h. subsp. ficifolia : May – July
Fruiting months :
- V. h. subsp. heyneana : June – October
- V. h. subsp. ficifolia : July – September
