Muscadine Grape - Vitis rotundifolia
Vitis rotundifolia, or Muscadine or Scuppernong Grape, photographed on the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi, is a grapevine species native to the southeastern and south-central United States from Florida to Delaware, west to eastern Texas and Oklahoma. It has been extensively cultivated since the 16th century. The plants are well adapted to their native warm and humid climate.
Muscadine berries may be bronze or dark purple or black when ripe. However, many wild varieties stay green through maturity. Muscadines have skin sufficiently thick and tough that eating the raw fruit is similar to eating a plum and may be an acquired taste. Muscadines are typically used in making artisan wines, juice, and jelly.
Muscadine is a vigorous, high-climbing or prostrate (lying flat on the ground.) deciduous vine, sometimes reaching lengths in excess of 90 feet. Large leaves are round and shiny with broad, blunt teeth. Shiny, purple-black to bronze berries ripen in September and October and fall promptly. The bark of this wild grape is not exfoliating.
In a natural setting, muscadines are important plants for improving wildlife habitat by providing cover, browse, and fruit for a wide variety of animals.
Muscadine Grape - Vitis rotundifolia
Vitis rotundifolia, or Muscadine or Scuppernong Grape, photographed on the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi, is a grapevine species native to the southeastern and south-central United States from Florida to Delaware, west to eastern Texas and Oklahoma. It has been extensively cultivated since the 16th century. The plants are well adapted to their native warm and humid climate.
Muscadine berries may be bronze or dark purple or black when ripe. However, many wild varieties stay green through maturity. Muscadines have skin sufficiently thick and tough that eating the raw fruit is similar to eating a plum and may be an acquired taste. Muscadines are typically used in making artisan wines, juice, and jelly.
Muscadine is a vigorous, high-climbing or prostrate (lying flat on the ground.) deciduous vine, sometimes reaching lengths in excess of 90 feet. Large leaves are round and shiny with broad, blunt teeth. Shiny, purple-black to bronze berries ripen in September and October and fall promptly. The bark of this wild grape is not exfoliating.
In a natural setting, muscadines are important plants for improving wildlife habitat by providing cover, browse, and fruit for a wide variety of animals.