GRAPE BOTANY 317 



the chief failings of this species is the susceptibility of the 

 leaves to the attack of the leaf-hopper. The Vulpinas are 

 generally late in ripening ; the fruit is better in quality in long 

 seasons and should be left on the vines as late as possible. 



5. Vitis cordifolia, Michx. Winter Grape. Frost Grape. 

 Fox Grape. Chicken Grape. Heart-leaved Vitis. Possum 

 Grape. Sour Winter Grape. 



Vine very vigorous, climbing. Shoots slender ; internodes long, 

 angular, usually glabrous, sometimes pubescent ; diaphragms thick ; 

 tendrils intermittent, long, usually bifid. Leaves with short, broad 

 stipules ; leaf -blade medium to large, cordate, entire or indistinctly 

 three-lobed ; petiolar sinus deep, usually narrow, acute ; margin with 

 coarse angular teeth ; point of leaf acuminate ; upper surface light 

 green, glossy, glabrous ; glabrous or sparingly pubescent below. 

 Clusters medium to large, loose, with long peduncle. Berries numerous 

 and small, black, shining, little or no bloom. Seeds medium in size, 

 broad, beak short ; chalaza oval or roundish, elevated, very distinct ; 

 raphe a distinct, cord-like ridge. Fruit sour and astringent and 

 frequently consisting of little besides skins and seeds. Leafing, 

 flowering and ripening fruit very late. 



Owing to the fact that Cordifolia and Vulpina have been 

 badly confused, the limits of the habitat of this species are 

 difficult to determine. The best authorities give the northern 

 limit as New York or the Great Lakes. The eastern limit is 

 the Atlantic Ocean and the southern limit, the Gulf of Mexico. 

 It extends westward, according to Engelmann, to the western 

 limits of the wooded portion of the Mississippi Valley in the 

 North, and, according to Munson, to the Brazos River, Texas, 

 in the South. It is found along creeks and river banks some- 

 times mixed with Vulpina, having about^ the same soil adapta- 

 tions as that species. It is a very common species in the 

 middle states and frequently grows on limestone soils, but 

 is not indigenous to such soils. 



Cordifolia makes a good stock for grafting, being vigorous 

 and forming a good union with most of our cultivated grapes. 



