NATIVE GRAPES 105 



name to be a corruption of "Long's." It is probable that 

 the plant was sent to European gardens as J"it'is Longii very 

 likely from Prince's nursery and the name was misread on 

 the label. The original name, which was duly published by 

 Prince, with description, may now be restored. Fitis Longii 

 is no doubt capable of yielding useful varieties for the 

 Plains. 



far. microsperma, Bailey, is a very vigorous and small- 

 seeded form, which is very resistant, to drought. Red River, 

 N. Texas. 



Fit is Cliampini, Planch. Probably a hybrid of V. rupestris or 

 F. Berlandieri and V. candicans, bearing medium to large reni- 

 form or reniform- cordate leaves which are variously pubes- 

 cent or cobwebby but become glabrous, the growing tips 

 mostly white -tomentose: berries very large and excellent. 

 S. W. Texas. In some places associated with F. candicans, 

 F. Berlandieri, and F. monticola only, and in others with the 

 above and F. rupestris. Often found composing dense thick- 

 ets. Very promising as a parent of horticultural varieties. 

 (Fig. 18.) 



DD. Diaphragms very thick and strong: young shoots bright 

 red: leaves often strongly lobed. 



1'itis palmata, Vahl. (Red or Cat Grape.) A slender but strong- 

 growing vine, with small, long-jointed, angled, red, glabrous, 

 herb-like shoots and red petioles: leaves small to medium, 

 ovate -acuminate, dark green and glossy, sometimes indis- 

 tinctly pubescent on the nerves below, the sinus obtuse, the 

 blade either nearly continuous in outline or (commonly) 

 prominently lobed or even parted, coarsely notched: stamens 

 in the sterile flowers long and erect: clusters loose and long- 

 peduncled, branched; the flowers opening late: berries small 

 and late (%- to %-inch in diameter), black, with or without 

 purple bloom, with little juice, and commonly containing but 

 a single seed, which is large and broad. A handsome plant; 

 Illinois and Missouri to Louisiana and Texas. More prom- 

 ising as an ornamental plant than as a vineyard plant. The 

 flesh is usually thin and the skin thick and tough, but the 

 flavor is often vinous and good. 



