The eco-geographic distribution of wild grape germplasm in China

Chinese wild Vitis species are mainly distributed in four major eco-geographic regions: (1) The Changbaishan Mountains and Xiaoxing’anling Mountains Region, (2) The Qinling Mountains Region, (3) The Mid-downstream Yangtze River Region and (4) The Guangxi Region. One, eighteen, thirty-two, and thirteen Vitis species have been found in these four regions, respectively. The Qinling Montains, the Bashan Montains, and the provinces of Jinagxi, Hubei, Hunan, and Guangxi have high Vitis diversity totaling over 30 species, indicating that these regions may be a major center of origin for Vitis . The range of distribution varies much among the species: Vitis pentagona, Vitis flexuosa, Vitis davidii , and Vitis wilsonae have a wide eco-geographic distribution; Vitis hancockii, Vitis bellula , and Vitis sinocinerea distribute more narrowly. The wild Vitis species of China are differentiated and adapted to local climates. We hope that this review familiarizes more researchers with the distribution of the wild grapes of China and will lead to more efficient collection and informed development of this germplasm.