vine
Wild grape
Vitis riparia / V. aestivalis
Low riskEdible when ripeabundant
True grapes: peeling bark, forked tendrils, several pear-shaped seeds.
High-climbing vines with shreddy bark on old wood, palmately lobed leaves, and tight fruit clusters. Taste ranges from tart to sweet after frost.
- Habitat
- Floodplain woods, fencerows, old homesteads.
- Season
- Ripe September–October.
- Size
- High climbing vine
- Field marks
- Tendrils; shreddy bark; several seeds per fruit
Use
Jelly, juice, raisins. Leaves for wrapping food. Vines for rustic cordage.