The grape family (Vitaceae) is a large, with approximately 1000 species spread throughout the warm countries of the world and is famous for its most celebrated member, the grapevine, Vitis vinifera. In southern Africa this family is represented by five genera (Ampelocisssus, Cayratia, Cissus, Cypostemma and Rhoicissus) and 53 species. In southern Africa, the genus Rhoicissus is represented by 10 species that occur in all the provinces of South Africa except the Northern Cape and all other southern African countries except Namibia and Botswana.

Rhoicissus tomentosa is a handsome, vigorous, evergreen tendril climber with ornamental, vine-like leaves and bunches of purple grape-like fruits. Rhoicissus tomentosa is one of the best wild grapes; the fruits are edible and pleasant tasting but acidic. They are thought to have caused severe colic and diarrhoea in three children in Grahamstown, so should be eaten in moderation. The juicy, pulpy ripe fruits boiled with plenty of sugar (7 grapes to 30 g sugar) make a brilliantly coloured and delicious jam or jelly. A reasonable wine can also be made from the fruits, described as sour with a pleasant fragrance. The fruits are also used to make vinegar. The pliant branches are split and used as rope for tying down thatch and also in basket-making. Because of its close relationship to the vines of cultivation, it was tried out as stock for grafting in combating phylloxera in Cape vineyards in the 1800s but was not used, as its growth is much too slow. The tuberous rootstock is poisonous and is used in traditional medicine. The roots boiled in milk are given to calves to expel intestinal worms. They may also be used during pregnancy to facilitate delivery, although R. tridentata is the more commonly used species for that remedy.