210 HOW TO KNOW WILD FRUITS 



dril or flower cluster opposite each leaf, are 

 distinguishing features. The bark peels off in 

 shreds. 



It occurs m New England and along the Alle- 

 ghanies to central Georgia. 



SUMMER GRAPE 

 Vitis eestivalis 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, alwaj^s lacking the 

 musky flavor of Vitis Ictbrusca ; 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. 



