Vitis labrusca (Fox Grape)


Botanical Information

FamilyVitaceae
GenusVitis
Specieslabrusca
CategoryWoody
TypeVine
OriginEastern North America - Nova Scotia, Canada to south Carolina and Tennessee, United States of America..
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
Wine, jelly, juice and medical tonics.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone5 - 8
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone6 - 9
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-25
Temperature (°F)-5
Height15 - 20 m
Spread15 - 20 m
GrowthFast
Flowering PeriodMay, June

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA perennial vine.
ID CharacteristicProduces a musty earthy smell which is unique to its species.
ShapeClimbing.
LandscapeUsed largely within naturalization projects and in grafting.
PropagationSeed, cuttings and layering.
CultivationPlant in well-drained, dry loamy or chalky soils in full sun to partial shade.
PestsAnthracnose, black rot, crown gall, grey mould, powdery mildew, grape berry moth, leafhoppers, leaf rollers, Japanese beetle and phylloxera. Xylella a bacterial disease is a serious threat to many horticultures crops due to its virulence and wide range of species it can infect. It can infect more than 560 species with wide ranging symptoms including leaf scorch, yellowing and scorching, wilt, branch and twig dieback and plant death. These symptoms can be identical to other symptoms such as drought and weather stress. Infected plants show symptoms within a few years after planting.
Notable SpecimensThe Living Center, Delaware, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatDry woodland borders, riverbanks and along roadsides.
Bark/Stem DescriptionExfoliating.
Leaf DescriptionSimple lobed leaf with woolly hairs on the underside. Three shallow lobes that are usually finely serrate, and are approximately 10 - 20 centimetres long. The leaves have palmate venation. The petioles are 10 - 15 centimetres long and coated with short hairs.
Flower DescriptionPanicles usually 7 - 15 centimetres long that develop across from a leaf at a node on the stem. Individual flowers are about 3 mm.
Fruit DescriptionAfter fertilization occurs within the female flower, the flower starts swelling to make the fruit (grapes) of Vitis labrusca that is formed on a panicle. These panicles are about 7 - 15 centimetres long. These purplish grapes have juicy flesh and have about 2 - 6 seeds each. The flavour is generally described as sweet-tart to sweet, with musky overtones.
Colour DescriptionFoliage is a light green on the top in spring which fades to dull yellow in autumn. Purplish-pinkish-black fruit. Light green flowers. New bark is light grey-brown and mature bark is darker reddish-burgundy.
Texture DescriptionVitis labrusca has a fairly consistent texture throughout the year. Its bark exfoliates all year round, and leaves are somewhat leathery to touch. It is considered a medium textured plant.

Photographs