VINES 447 



obscurely 5-toothed. Corolla, of 4 to 5 petals. Alternating with 

 the 5 siamefis are 5 nectar- bearing glands. Pistil, with or 

 without style, and a 2-divided stigma. Fruit, a 2-celled, 4-seed- 

 ed berry of a dark purple color, with thick skin and tough 

 pulp, f inch in diameter. 



By means of tendrils opposite the leaves the vine climbs over 

 trees, sometimes reaching 100 feet in length. Flowers in close 

 panicles. The bark of an old stem becomes loose and hangs in 

 strips. It is a strong, aggressive vine, and makes a thicket of 

 its many branches wherever it grows. Its main stem may have 

 a diameter of 6 to 10 inches. It is the origin of many of our cul- 

 tivated grapes — Concord, Isabella, Catawba, etc. 



The word grape means bunch, or cluster, from the old French 

 grappe. 



g. Summer Grape 



V. aestivalis has a pleasant-flavored, smaller berry, ripe in 

 September. It may be at once known by the omission of a 

 tendril opposite every third leaf. Leaves deeply and obtusely 

 3 to 5-lobed. 



10. Frost Grape 



V. cardifblia has deeply heart-shaped, shiny, entire leaves, 

 hairy on the mid-rib. It blossoms in May and June. It ripens 

 small, black, i to 2-seeded fruit late in autumn. 



II 



V. riparia, with 3-lobed leaves and toothed, persistent stip- 

 ules, has larger berries in closer clusters. A touch of frost 

 sweetens the wild grape's taste. These last two grow beside 

 rivers. 



12. Muscadine. Southern Fox-grape 



V. rotundifolia bears large purple berries, with a thick, leath- 

 ery skin. Leaves, heart-shaped at base, generally not lobed. 

 Taste, musky. The fruit ripens early. This is the original of 

 the Scuppernong grape. 



