210 HOW TO KNOW WILD FRUITS 



dril or flower cluster opposite each leaf, are 

 distinguishing features. The bark peels off in 

 shreds. 



It occurs in New England and along the Alle- 

 ghanies to central Georgia. 



SUMMER GRAPE 



Vitis aestivalis Grape Family 



Fruit. The berries are medium-sized, one- 

 third to one-half inch in diameter. They are 

 dark blue or black with a bloom. The skin is 

 tough ; the flesh sometimes dry and puckery, 

 sometimes sweet and juicy, always lacking the 

 musky flavor of Vitis Idbrusca ; and the seeds 

 are small. The clusters are rather long, with 

 long stems. September. 



Leaves. The large leaves, thickish when 

 mature, are angled or three- to five-lobed. The 

 openings between the lobes are deep or broad 

 and open.. The base is heart-shaped. The young 

 leaves are shining above and have tufts of 

 brown down on the lower surfaces. The older 

 leaves are dull green above and with the dis- 

 tinguishing brown woolly tufts along the veins. 



Flowers. The flower cluster is long and loose. 



