500 BOTANY OF CROP PLANTS 



Vitis vinifera is probably a native of western and southern 

 Asia. 



Vitis rotundifolia (Southern Fox Grape) .^This is usually 

 a very vigorous, high-climbing grape, with hard wood and 

 smooth bark. The leaves are broadly heart-shaped, with 

 coarse, blunt teeth, hght green in color, smooth above and 

 below or sometimes slightly hairy on the veins below. The 

 large, spherical, black or greenish-yellow berries are in small 

 loose clusters. It grows wild from southern Delaware to 

 Missouri, Texas, and the Gulf States. 



The varieties of this species are known as Muscadine 

 grapes. One of the chief varieties is the Scuppernong. 



Vitis rupestris (Sand Grape). — This is a low shrub with small, broadly 

 beart-shaped, slightly lobed leaves with coarsely toothed margins. The 

 small, black or purple-black berries are in small clusters. 



This species is southern in its distribution, reaching southern Pennsylvania 

 as its northernmost limit. It is very resistant to rot and mildew of the foliage. 



Vitis riparia (River-bank Grape). — The river-bank grape is a rather 

 vigorous climbing plant with smooth and slender twigs. The leaves have 

 large stipules; the margin has sharp teeth that vary in size. The berries 

 are small, black, coated with a bloom, and occur in rather compact, but small 

 clusters. 



This is the most widely distributed and the hardiest of American grapes. 

 It is common on stream banks in the United States east of the Rocky 

 Mountains. 



Vitis aestivalis (Summer Grape). — This is a strong-growing species with 

 leaves that are short-stipulate, thick, three- to five-lobed, shallowly dentate, 

 dark green above and rusty pubescent beneath. The berries are astringent, 

 of average size, and usually in long clusters. 



This species is native to southeastern United States. Its varieties are wine 

 grapes. 



Vitis labrusca (Northern Fox Grape). — This is a stocky 

 plant with large, heart-shaped leaves which are either entire 

 or three-lobed, dark green above, and densely pubescent 

 below. The clusters of thick-skinned berries are medium 

 to large. 



