Vitis genus
(Species include: Vitis
labrusca, Vitis riparia, and Vitis aestivalis)
Virginia Kline
There are several species
of Wild Grape in Virginia, most of which are very similar
and difficult to tell apart. Fox Grape (Vitis
labrusca), Summer Grape (Vitis aestivalis), and
Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia) are probably the most
common species. Wild Grape are woody
vines
which can climb over thirty feet tall. They have large,
three-lobed leaves with teeth
on the edges. Wild Grape can be found
on streambanks, pond edges, roadsides, and in open woods. In
woods, the vine is probably very large and has grown up with
the tree. Dan Skean
James Manhart
Wild Grape uses
tendrils
(like above-ground roots) to grab onto branches or bark of
larger plants. The bark of Wild Grape is
brownish-gray and very shreddy. Wild Grape flowers are
green and small. They bloom from May to July. The
fruit,
of course, is what grapes are known for. Wild Grape grows
large purplish-black berries in clusters
of up to twenty. Fruits become ripe from August to October.
Wild Grape fruit is very important for wildlife. Each berry contains two
to six seeds.
When animals eat the fruit, they help spread the vines by
pooping out seeds in new places. Many birds nest in Wild
Grape tangles, including Northern Cardinal, Brown Thrasher,
Gray Catbird, and Northern Mockingbird. Many birds also use
bark
from the vine to build nests.
Some animals which eat
Wild Grape fruit are Eastern Bluebird, Gray Catbird, Wood
Duck, Common Crow, Great Crested Flycatcher, Northern
Mockingbird, American Robin, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker,
European Starling, Northern Bobwhite, Brown Thrasher, Tufted
Titmouse, Pileated Woopecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Cedar
Waxwing, Purple Finch, Blue Jay, Dark-eyed Junco, Eastern
Kingbird,Baltimore Oriole, White-throated Sparrow, Red Fox,
Eastern Cottontail, Raccoon, Virginia Opossum, and Striped
Skunk. White-tailed Deer eat the
leaves and stems. Paul E. Berry, Wisconsin
State Herbarium
