riverbank grape

Vitis riparia

characteristics

Reddish brown woody vines with spring-like tendrils trail or climb an impressive distance (up to 13 meters). Small yellow-green fragrant flowers are in airy spikes. Blue-black berries — when ripe — grow in clusters of up to twenty. The fruit, of course, is what grapes are known for.

14,500 seeds/pound; starts from seed, bare root, cuttings. Often available in Garden Centres.

habitat

Riverbanks, thickets, and woodland margins.

uses

A few of the birds that nest in the tangles are Northern Cardinal, Brown Thrasher, Gray Catbird, and Northern Mockingbird. Papery bark from the vines is used for nest building.

Not very good raw, but the grapes make a nice tart jelly.