Evergreen or occasionally deciduous woody or herbaceous climbers, rarely small trees, with swollen or jointed stems. Tendrils characteristically positioned opposite the leaves. Leaves alternate, lower ones occasionally opposite, simple or compound; stipules present or absent. Flowers small, regular, bisexual or unisexual, 4- or 5-parted. Calyx entire or with teeth. Petals free or united. Stamens opposite the petals, attached to a basal disk. Ovary superior, of 2-6 chambers each containing 2 ovules. Fruit a succulent berry.

Climbing plants grown for the attractive foliage that is sometimes brightly coloured in autumn.

14 genera and 850 species mostly tropical and subtropical.Australia has 6 genera and about 30 species.

Species of Vitis are grown for grape products.

Mostly climbing plants with leaf-opposed tendrils and flowers; stem nodes prominent.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Vitaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.