The Vitaceae or Grape Family is a small family of woody plants with tendrils, world-wide, consisting of approximately 16 plant genera and almost 1,000 accepted species names. The largest genera world-wide include Cissus, the largest and; Cyphostemma, Ampelocissus and Vitis.
In North America there are 7 genera with 56 accepted species. The largest genus in North America belongs to Vitus, the grape vines with 23 species. The other well-known genus in North America is Parthenocissus which includes Virginia Creeper, Woodbine and the exotic Boston Ivy.
Arizona has 3 species; Cissus, Parthenocissus and Vitis.
The economic importance of the family is limited to the genus Vitis, which is commercially grown for the fruit, the grapes, which are fermented to produce wine.