1. Tournefort, Inst. Rei Herb., 1:613. 1700. V. Canadensis aceris folio. 2. (?) Linnaeus, Sp. Pl., 1753:203. V. vulpina. 3. (?) Walter, 1788:242. V. vulpina. 4. (?) Willdenow, 1:1181. 1797. V. vulpina. 5. Michaux, 2:231. 1803. 6. (?) Bartram, Dom. Enc., 5:291. 1804. V. serotina; Winter grape. 7. Pursh, 1:169. 1814. V. odoratissima. 8. Nuttall, 1818:143. 9. Elliott, 2:688. 1824. Winter grape? 10. Torrey, Fl. of N. & M. Sta., 1826:121. 11. Rafinesque, 1830:15. River grape; Bermuda vine; Mignonette vine. 12. Ib., 1830:16. V. odoratissima. 13. Prince, 1830:193. V. odoratissima; Sweet scented. 14. Torrey, Fl. of N. Y., 1:147. 1843. Winter grape. 15. Le Conte, Trans. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sci., 6:273. 1853. V. dimidiata. 16. Ib., 6:272. V. vulpina; V. aestivalis of some; V. cordifolia of many; V. callosa; V. hyemalis; Winter grape. 17. Buckley, U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt., 1861:483. V. cordifolia, var. RIPARIA. 18. Saunders, U. S. D. A. Rpt., 1869:82, 85, 87. V. cordifolia, var. RIPARIA. 19. Engelmann, Mo. Ent. Rpt., 1872:61. 20. Ib., Bush. Cat., 1883:10, 11, 12, 14, 18. Riverside grape. 21. Bush, Ib., 1883:23. 22. Munson, Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1885:97, 98. Riverside grape. 23. Ib., Am. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1885:131. Riverside grape. 24. Ib., Soc. Prom. Ag. Sci. Rpt., 1887:59. Riverside grape. 25. Planchon, De Candolle’s Mon. Phan., 5:323, 352. 1887. V. vulpina; V. incisa; V. intermedia; V. odoratissima; V. Virginiana; V. Canadensis aceris folio. 26. Munson, U. S. D. A. Pom. Bul., 3:9. 1890. 27. Ib., Gar. and For., 3:474. 1890. 28. Bailey, Am. Gard., 14:353. 1893. fig. V. vulpina; V. riparia. 29. Husmann, 1895:175. V. cordifolia. 30. Ib., 1895:188. 31. Britton and Brown, 2:410. 1897. fig. V. vulpina; V. riparia; V. cordifolia, var. riparia; Riverside grape; Sweet scented grape. 32. Bailey, Gray’s Syn. Fl., 1:422. 1897. V. vulpina; Riverbank; Frost; V. riparia; V. serotina; V. odoratissima; V. Illinoensis?; V. Missouriensis?; V. tenuifolia?; V. cordifolia, var. riparia; V. vulpina, var. riparia. 33. Munson, Tex. Sta. Bul., 56:218, 219, 230, 239, 260. 1900. V. vulpina; Riverside; V. riparia. 34. Viala and Ravaz. Am. Vines, 1903:42, 104.
Vine vigorous to very vigorous, climbing. Shoots cylindrical or slightly angled, usually smooth, slender; diaphragms thin; tendrils intermittent, slender, usually bifid. Leaves with large stipules; leaf-blade medium to large, thin, entire, three, or lower ones often five-lobed; sinuses shallow, angular; petiolar sinus broad, usually rather shallow; margin with incised, sharply serrate teeth of variable size; of a light green color, glabrous above, usually glabrous but sometimes slightly pubescent on ribs and veins below. Cluster medium to small, generally compact, shouldered; peduncle short. Berries small to medium, black with a heavy blue bloom. Seeds usually two to four, small, usually slightly notched, short, plump, with very short beak; chalaza narrowly oval, depressed, indistinct; raphe usually a groove, sometimes slightly distinct. Very variable in flavor and time of ripening. (See Plate.)
The first mention we have of Vitis riparia is by Tournefort in 1700, who, without further description, calls it Vitis canadensis aceris folio, or Maple-leaved Canadian grape.[135] Linnaeus in 1753 described mixed specimens of Cordifolia and Riparia under the name of Vitis vulpina. His description is as follows:[136] “Leaves cordate, dentate-serrate, glabrous on both sides.” Walter and Willdenow copy the description of Linnaeus. The first description which is clear, and the identity of which has never been questioned, is that of Michaux in 1803, under the name Riparia. He says: “Leaves unequally and sharply dentate, slightly 3-lobed. Petioles, veins and margins pubescent. Called by French residents Vigne des battures. Habitat along the banks and on the islands of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, etc.” Bartram, in 1804, under the name of Vitis serotina, or Winter grape, describes a vine which may be Riparia or may be Cordifolia as it has some of the characters of both.
SHOOT OF VITIS RIPARIA
SHOOT OF VITIS RIPARIA
Linnaeus’ description seems to have thoroughly confused all of the earlier botanists. They were in doubt, first, as to what species was intended for Vulpina; second, as to the distinguishing characters between Riparia and Cordifolia. Gray classed Riparia as a variety of Cordifolia. Engelmann was the first to draw attention to the specific characters which separated these two sorts and these he gives as follows: 1st. Riparia has thin diaphragms, Cordifolia thick. 2d. Riparia blooms early, Cordifolia late. 3d. Riparia propagates readily from cuttings, Cordifolia only with difficulty. 4th. Seeds of the Riparia have indistinct or almost indistinct, depressed chalaza and raphe, while the chalaza and raphe of the Cordifolia seeds are elevated and distinct. To these Bush[137] added the further distinguishing character that on the shoots the small terminal leaves of the Cordifolia open as soon as formed, while those of Riparia remain folded for some days after they are formed, become larger and then expand gradually.
Riparia is the most widely distributed of any American species of grape. It has been found in parts of Canada north of Quebec and from thence southward to the Gulf of Mexico. It is found from the Atlantic coast westward, most botanists say to the Rocky Mountains, but Munson gives the western limit as Salt Lake. Since Munson is more familiar with the district lying west of the Rocky Mountains than any other botanist who has paid attention to grapes, he is probably correct. Usually it is found on river banks, on islands or in upland ravines.
Riparia has always been considered of great promise in the evolution of American grapes. It can hardly be said that it has fulfilled expectations, there probably being no pure variety of this species of more than local importance, and the results of hybridizing it with other species have not been wholly successful. The reason why attention was early turned to Riparia was because of the qualities presented by the vine rather than those of the fruit, particularly its hardiness and vigor. However, both of these qualities are quite variable, and it is only reasonable to suppose that in such a widely distributed species, plants found in a certain region would have adapted themselves to the conditions there present; thus it should be expected that the northern plants would be more hardy than those from the South and the western prairie forms more capable of resisting drouth than those from humid regions; this is found to be the case. It is consequently impossible to say what conditions best suit this species; it may be said, however, that it is adapted to a great variety of soils and locations; Riparia vines, or certain ones of them, have withstood a temperature of 40 to 60 degrees below zero and they show equal ability in withstanding the injurious effects of high temperatures in the summer. On account of its habit of early blooming, the blossoms sometimes suffer from late frosts in the spring.
While Riparia is not a swamp grape and is not found growing under swampy conditions, it is fond of water. In the semi-arid regions always, and in humid regions usually, it is found growing along the banks of streams, in ravines, on the islands of rivers, and in wet places. It is not nearly so capable of withstanding drouth as Rupestris. Riparia likes a rather rich soil but in France has been found to do poorly on limestone land and calcareous marls. The French tell us, however, that this is a characteristic of all our American grapes and that the Riparia is more resistant to the injurious effects of an excess of lime than either Rupestris or Aestivalis.
As was noted in the botanical description, the fruit of Riparia is usually small, there being occasional varieties of medium size or slightly above. The clusters are of medium size and, if judged from the standpoint of number of berries, might frequently be called large. The flavor is usually sharply acid but free from foxiness or any disagreeable wild taste. If eaten in quantity, the acidity is apt to affect the lips and end of the tongue. When the acidity is somewhat ameliorated, as in the case of thoroughly ripe or even overripe and shriveled fruit, the flavor is much liked by many people. The flesh is neither pulpy nor solid and dissolves in the mouth and separates readily from the seed. The must of Riparia is characterized by an average amount of sugar, varying considerably in the fruit from different vines, and by an excess of acid. There is no disagreeable aroma, or foxiness, in the juice of this species, but the wines made from pure must of Riparia grapes, unless kept for a long time, or otherwise treated, are too sour. On this account many recommend adding sugar and water to the must to reduce the percentage of acid.
Riparia is very resistant to phylloxera, the roots are small in size, hard and numerous and branch freely. The roots feed close to the surface and do not seem to be well adapted to forcing their way through heavy clays or a hardpan formation; but as such soils are unfavorable for all grapes, this character is of little economic importance. Riparia grows readily from cuttings and makes a good stock for grafting, and its union with other species is usually permanent. At the time when Riparias were first sent to France to be used as a stock in reconstituting the French vineyards, it was found that many of the vines secured from the woods were of too weak growth to support the stronger-growing Viniferas. On this account the French growers selected the more vigorous forms of the Riparias sent them to which they gave varietal names, as Riparia Gloire, Riparia Grand Glabre, Riparia Scribner, Riparia Martin and others. With these selected Riparias the graft does not outgrow the stock. Riparia is less resistant to rot than Aestivalis but somewhat more resistant than Labrusca. The foliage is rarely attacked by mildew. One of the chief failings of this species is the susceptibility of the leaves to the attack of the leaf-hopper. This defect is quite serious in some grape-growing regions. The Riparias are generally late in ripening and it is found that the fruit is better in quality in long seasons and that it should be left on the vines as late as possible. There are some early ripening varieties of this species, however.
1. Price, 1830:194. V. odoratissima; June Grape. 2. Engelmann, Mo. Ent. Rpt., 1872:61. 3. Ib., Bush. Cat., 1883:18. June Grape. 4. Bailey, Am. Gard., 14:353. 1893. V. vulpina, var. PRÆCOX; June Grape; V. riparia, var. præcox. 5. Ib., Gray’s Syn. Fl., 1:422. 1897. V. vulpina, var. PRÆCOX; June Grape.
The first record of Riparia Præcox is a statement by Prince in 1830 that Nuttall had told him that the June Grape growing on the Mississippi was the true Vitis odoratissima (a sweet scented Riparia which later botanists have not recognized as a distinct species). In 1872 Engelmann refers to it, saying that it grows on rocky river banks in the vicinity of St. Louis and that it is brought to market in July. He says further in the Bushberg Catalogue that from the first of July on, ripe fruit is to be found through August and September. Bailey states in the American Gardening that Engelmann in his herbarium had given this variety the name præcox but did not know whether it had been published or not.
The variety differs from the typical form of Riparia only in the ripening season and possibly in the berries averaging smaller. The early ripening season might make it of horticultural importance as a breeding stock although in other respects the fruit characters are not such as would recommend it.
1. Bailey, Gray’s Syn. Fl., 1:423. 1897. 2. Munson, Tex. Sta. Bul., 56:230, 239. 1900. Smooth Canyon Grape.
Plant shrubby and much branched, climbing little, the small and mostly short (generally shorter than the leaves) tendrils deciduous the first year unless finding support, internodes short, the diaphragms twice thicker (about 1-16 inch) than in V. riparia and shallow-biconcave; stipules less than one quarter as large as in V. riparia; leaves large and green, very broad-ovate or even reniform-ovate (often wider than long, thin, glabrous and shining on both surfaces, the basal sinus very broad and open making no distinct angle with the petiole, the margin unequally notch-toothed (not jagged as in V. riparia) and indistinctly three-lobed, the apex much shorter than in V. riparia; * * * cluster small (2 to 3 inches long); the berries 1/3 inch or less thick, black with a thin bloom, ripening three weeks later than V. riparia when grown in the same place, thin-skinned; pulp juicy and sweet; seeds small. * * * Little known, and possibly a dry country form of V. riparia. In habit it suggests V. arizonica var. glabra, from which it is distinguished, among other things, by its decidedly earlier flowering and larger leaves with coarser teeth and less pointed apex.
According to Munson Vitis treleasei inhabits “ravines and gulches of western New Mexico, Arizona and southern Utah.” This species was named by Munson but the only description we have been able to find is that of Bailey given above in which we have changed his “vulpina” to “riparia.” The species is of no importance horticulturally.
1. Prince, 1830:184. Long’s Arkansas. 2. Engelmann, Bush. Cat., 1883:18. Long’s; V. Solonis. 3. Munson, Am. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1885:132. V. Nuevo Mexicana; Wooly Riparia. 4. Ib., Soc. Prom. Ag. Sci. Rpt., 1887:59. V. Novo Mexicana; Munson’s Riparia. 5. Ib., Gar. and For., 3:474. 1890. V. Solonis. 6. Ib., U. S. D. A. Pom. Bul., 3:9. 1890. V. Solonis. 7. Ib., Am. Gard., 12:660. 1891. V. solonis. 8. Ib., Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1893:116. V. solonis; Bush grape. 9. Ib., Bush. Cat., 1894:20, 22, 24. V. solonis; Sand grape; Beach grape; Bush grape. 10. Bailey, Gray’s Syn. Fl., 1:423. 1897. V. Solonis; V. Nuevo Mexicana; Long’s. 11. Beach, N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:537, 557. 1898. V. solonis. 12. Munson, Tex. Sta. Bul., 56:218, 230. 1900. V. Solonis; Gulch grape; Bush grape.
Vitis longii is a vigorous form of the Riparia type with pubescent young growth, differing from the typical Riparia in having more circular, less lobed leaves and more incised teeth. Its leaves are frequently pubescent beneath. Another form with dentate margin of leaf has been known under the name of Nuevo Mexicana or Novo Mexicana. The references to these two forms are inextricably confused. Engelmann refers to this grape which he says he found growing in the botanic garden of Berlin under the name of Vitis solonis. After careful investigation he decided that this name was a corruption of Vitis longii, or Long’s grape, which had been brought from the headwaters of the Arkansas river by Major Long’s expedition into that then unknown country in the early part of the last century. Many botanists consider this a hybrid of two or more other species, Riparia, Rupestris, Candicans and Cordifolia being offered as probable parents.
Its habitat is northern Texas “westward into New Mexico, eastward into Oklahoma and northward into Kansas and southeastern Colorado.”
Vitis longii was first described by Prince in 1830. The fruit is small and sour and it appears to be of no horticultural promise.
1. Munson, Soc. Prom. Ag. Sci. Rpt., 1887:59. V. Novo Mexicana Var.; Munson’s Riparia. 2. Munson, Rev. Vit., 3:160.—. V. Solonis, var. MICROSPERMA (cited by 3). 3. Bailey, Gray’s Syn. Fl., 1:423. 1897. V. Longii, var. MICROSPERMA; V. Solonis, var. microsperma.
Vitis longii microsperma is a small seeded, vigorous form of Vitis longii growing on the Red River in north Texas. It is said to be more resistant to drought than the normal form.
1. Planchon, Journ. La Vigne amer., 6:22. 1882 (cited by 4). 2. Munson, Am. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1885:137. 3. Ib., Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1885:101. 4. Planchon, De Candolle’s Mon. Phan., 5:323, 327, 328. 1887. Champin grape. 5. Munson, Gar. and For., 3:474, 475. 1890. 6. Ib., U. S. D. A. Pom. Bul., 3:11. 1890. 7. Ib., Am. Gard., 12:661. 1891. Champin grape. 8. Ib., Bush. Cat., 1894:20, 22, 25. 9. Bailey, Gray’s Syn. Fl., 1:423. 1897. 10. Beach, N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:536, 557. 1898. 11. Munson, Tex. Sta. Bul., 56:232, 234, 235, 240, 268. 1900. fig. Adobe Land grape. 12. Viala and Ravaz, Am. Vines, 1903:145.
Vine rather vigorous, climbing (sometimes semi-erect). Shoots thinly pubescent, somewhat angled, generally cylindrical when mature; diaphragms thin; tendrils intermittent, strong, bifid or trifid. Leaves small to rather large, slightly reniform or broadly cordate, usually entire but frequently shortly three-lobed; petiolar sinus wide to medium; dark green, glabrous above with thin cobwebby tomentum below, becoming more or less glabrous when mature. Clusters of small or medium size; peduncle medium in length. Berries large, black, slight if any bloom, very persistent, of sweet flavor and tender pulp. Seeds closely resembling Candicans. Blooms just before Labrusca. Variable in ripening season.
Champini was named and described in 1882 by Planchon. He states that it is probably a hybrid between Vitis candicans and Vitis rupestris and that it is not distinctly defined and of a uniform character, but shows in its variable forms different combinations of the characters of these two species. There seems to be some doubt among other botanists as to the parentage of Champini and it is variously credited to Candicans, Rupestris, Monticola and Berlandieri.
This species is found growing in the limestone hills of southwestern Texas, covering about the same area as Berlandieri. According to Munson it is less common in the bottoms and is not so plentiful as the latter species. Associated with it in different parts of its habitat are the four species mentioned above as possible parents.
Champini is particularly well adapted to hot dry regions and will withstand considerable lime in the soil. The species is susceptible to mildew and black-rot. It can be readily grown from cuttings and grafts well in the vineyard, though the different forms are quite variable in these respects. At one time this species was considered of great promise as a stock for Vinifera for hot, dry regions but as it has proved inferior to Berlandieri in its capacity to withstand limy soils and phylloxera, and as it is not more vigorous, it has been generally dropped. The berries are large and of pure flavor, and as the vine is vigorous, it may prove of value as a source of cultivated varieties for the Southwest but it is of little or no value to the eastern grower.
1. Vahl,[141] Symb. Bot., 3:42. 1794. V. palmata. 2. Willdenow, 1:1180. 1797. V. palmata. 3. Muhlenberg, 1813:27. V. palmata. 4. Pursh, 1:170. 1814. V. palmata. 5. Nuttall, 1:143. 1818. V. palmata. 6. Rafinesque, 1830:18. V. palmata; Palmate grape. 7. Ib., 1830:18. V. virginiana; Virginia grape. 8. Floy-Lindley, 1833:152. V. palmata; Palmated leaved. 9. (?) Le Conte, Proc. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sci., 6:274. 1853. V. palmata; V. Virginiana; Bland’s grape. 10. (?) Ib., U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt., 1857:231. V. palmata; Palmate-leaved vine; Bland’s grape; V. Virginiana. 11. Engelmann, Bush. Cat., 1883:10, 11, 12, 14, 17. V. palmata; V. rubra; Red grape of the Mississippi Valley. 12. Munson, Am. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1885:133. V. palmata; V. rubra. 13. Ib., Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1885:97. V. palmata; Palmate-leaved grape; V. rubra. 14. Ib., Soc. Prom. Ag. Sci. Rpt., 1887:59. V. palmata; Eggert’s grape. 15. Planchon, De Candolle’s Mon. Phan., 5:352. 1887. V. riparia, var. PALMATA; V. Virginiensis; V. Virginiana. 16. Ib., Ib., 5:354. 1887. V. palmata. 17. Sargent, Gar. and For., 2:340. 1889. fig. V. palmata; V. rubra. 18. Munson, Ib., 3:474, 475. 1890. V. palmata. 19. Munson, U. S. D. A. Pom. Bul., 3:13. 1890. V. palmata. 20. Ib., Am. Gard., 12:586. 1891. 21. Bailey, Gray’s Syn. Fl., 1:423. 1897. V. palmata; V. monosperma; V. rubra; V. riparia, var. palmata; Red grape; Cat grape. 22. Britton and Brown, 2:410. 1897. fig. V. palmata; Missouri grape. 23. Bailey, Ev. Nat. Fr., 1898:105. V. palmata; Red grape; Cat grape. 24. Munson, Tex. Sta. Bul., 56:230, 239. 1900. V. palmata; Cat Bird grape. 25. Bailey, Cyc. Am. Hort., 4:1952. 1902. V. monosperma; Red grape. 26. Viala and Ravaz, Am. Vines, 1903:42, 113.
Vine slender, of only moderate vigor, climbing very high. Shoots smooth, angled, long-jointed, bright red; diaphragms thick to medium; tendrils intermittent, long, usually bifid. Leaves with short, broad stipules; leaf-blade broadly cordate in outline, rarely entire, frequently very deeply three or even five-lobed, lobes long, acuminate; margin with broad, shallow, serrate teeth; petiolar sinus rather broad and shallow; upper surface dull dark green, smooth; lower surface frequently somewhat pubescent on ribs and veins; petioles red. Clusters medium to large, loose, seldom compound; long peduncle. Berries small, black, without bloom, not juicy. Seeds one or two, large, plump, rounded, with very short beak, slightly notched; chalaza narrow, rather indistinct; raphe indistinct.
Vitis rubra and Vahl’s Vitis palmata are badly confused. The species was first described by Vahl in 1794, from plants cultivated in the Jardin des Plantes in Paris and supposed to have been sent by some missionary from the Mississippi Valley. It was so named on account of its tendency to five-lobed leaves. Vahl erroneously gives its habitat as Virginia. About the same time, Michaux discovered, on the banks of the Mississippi and adjacent streams, a grape which he called Vitis rubra, on account of its characteristic bright red shoots. The descriptions of these two varieties were copied from time to time by other botanists, but with no additional details of any importance until Engelmann, in 1883, made the claim that they were identical. There is no question as to the identity of Michaux’s Rubra, but some botanists question whether Palmata is a synonym. We have taken Michaux’s name as the one to which there is no question, although Engelmann was so careful a worker that it is highly probable that he is correct in considering the two species synonymous. Munson considers the species as probably a multiple “hybrid of Cordifolia with Riparia, with possibly a trace of Cissus blood, indicated in the fruit, seed and leaf.” There seems to be but little evidence to support this supposition. Planchon says it is principally on the evidence of Millardet that he admits this as a separate species and that perhaps it would be better to consider it a variety of Riparia closely allied to Vahl’s Palmata.
Vitis rubra is an inhabitant of sandy, rich, moist, alluvial river bottoms in Missouri and Illinois, to Louisiana and Texas, in which region it is quite restricted and apparently not plentiful.
But little is known of the horticultural characters of Vitis rubra. In spite of its having been classed with Riparia, it appears to resemble more closely Vitis cordifolia, having the thick diaphragms and late blooming characters of the latter species, but the seeds resemble those of Riparia. Rubra grows readily from cuttings and the roots are said to be very resistant to phylloxera. It is not sufficiently vigorous, however, to be recommended as a stock. It is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental but is of no horticultural importance beyond this.
1. (?) Linnaeus, Sp. Pl., 1753:203. V. vulpina. 2. (?) Marshall, 1785:165. V. Labrusca. 3. (?) Walter, 1788:242. V. vulpina. 4. (?) Willdenow, 1:1181. 1797. V. Vulpina. 5. Michaux, 2:231. 1803. 6. (?) Bartram, Dom. Enc., 5:291. 1804. V. serotina. 7. (?) Muhlenberg, 1813:27. V. vulpina; V. cordifolia; Winter grape. 8. Pursh, 1:169. 1814. V. incisa; V. vulpina; Winter grape; Chicken grape. 9. Nuttall, 1:143. 1818. 10. Elliott, 2:688. 1824. 11. Rafinesque, 1830:15. V. vulpina; Frost grape; Winter grape; Fox grape. 12. Prince, 1830:194. Winter grape; Chicken grape; Frost grape; V. serotina; V. incisa; V. vulpina. 13. Torrey, Fl. of N. Y., 1:147. 1843. Winter grape; Frost grape. 14. Le Conte, Proc. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sci., 6:273. 1853. V. pullaria; Chicken grape. 15. Darlington, Fl. Cest., 1853:50. Chicken grape; Winter grape; Heart-leaved Vitis. 16. Buckley, U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt., 1861:483. Winter grape; Fox grape. 17. (?) Saunders, U. S. D. A. Rpt., 1869:82, 85, 87. 18. Engelmann, Mo. Ent. Rpt., 1872:60. Winter grape; Frost grape; Chicken grape. 19. Ib., Bush. Cat., 1883:10, 11, 12, 14, 17. Frost grape. 20. Bush., Ib., 1883:24. 21. Munson, Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1885:97, 98. 22. Ib., Am. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1885:133. Frost grape; Sour or Pungent Winter grape. 23. Planchon, De Candolle’s Mon. Phan., 5:323, 350. 1887. V. vulpina, var. cordifolia; V. vulpina; V. Virginiana. 24. Munson, Gar. and For., 3:474. 1890. 25. Ib., U. S. D. A. Pom. Bul., 3:12. 1890. 26. Britton and Brown, 2:410. 1897. Frost grape; Chicken grape; Possum grape; Winter grape. 27. Bailey, Gray’s Syn. Fl., 1:424. 1897. True Frost grape; Chicken grape; Raccoon grape; V. pullaria; V. vulpina, var. cordifolia. 28. Beach, N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:557. 1898. 29. Munson, Tex. Sta. Bul., 56:218, 231, 240. 1900. Sour Winter grape; Frost grape. 30. Viala and Ravaz, Am. Vines, 1903:42, 76.
Vine very vigorous, climbing. Shoots rather slender; internodes long, slightly angular, usually glabrous, sometimes slightly pubescent; diaphragms thick; tendrils intermittent, long, usually bifid. Leaves with short, broad stipules; leaf-blade medium to large, cordate, entire or sometimes indistinctly three-lobed; petiolar sinus deep, usually narrow, acute; margin with rather coarse angular teeth; point of leaf acuminate; upper surface rather 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, rather broad, beak rather short; chalaza oval or roundish, elevated, very distinct; raphe a distinct, cord-like ridge. Fruit usually 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 Riparia have been badly confused in the past, the limits of the habitat of this species are difficult to determine. Pursh gives the northern limit as Canada, and Buckley speaks of its being found at Lake Winnipeg, but all other, and some probably better informed, 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 sometimes mixed with Riparia, having about the same soil adaptations as that species. It is a very common species in the Middle States and is frequently found growing on limestone soils but, according to Viala, is not indigenous to such soils.
It might be said that this species was first described by Linnaeus in 1753 under the name Vulpina, as his description was from mixed specimens of Cordifolia and Riparia. The first description, however, of which there is no question is that of Michaux in 1803. From this time on there are many descriptions under various names and much disagreement as to the limits of the species and its relation to Riparia. Engelmann in 1872 states that Riparia is generally a smaller plant than Cordifolia and that the fruit ripens earlier and is pleasanter tasting. It was still considered by many botanists that these differences were too slight to separate the forms as different species, but in 1883, Engelmann further enumerated other differences which are given under the description of Vitis riparia. Since this time, the specific difference of the two forms has never been questioned.
Cordifolia makes a good stock for grafting, being vigorous and forming a good union with most of our cultivated grapes. It is seldom used for this purpose, however, on account of the difficulty of propagating it by means of cuttings. For the same reason vines of it are seldom found in cultivation. It is probably of no importance horticulturally.
1. Engelmann, Am. Nat., 2:321. 1868. V. cordifolia, var. FŒTIDA. 2. Ib., Mo. Ent. Rpt., 1872:60. 3. Bailey, Gray’s Syn. Fl., 1:424. 1897. V. cordifolia, var. FŒTIDA.
Apparently the first record of Vitis cordifolia foetida is Engelmann’s mention of it in the American Naturalist of 1868. In 1872 he speaks as though this is the common Mississippi Valley form, for he says: “In this valley at least the fruit has a strongly and even fetidly-aromatic taste”. The variety apparently is similar to the typical Cordifolia in every respect excepting the aromatic fruit.
1. Munson, Rev. Vit., 5:165. f. 53. (cited by 2). 2. Bailey, Gray’s Syn. Fl., 1:424. 1897. V. cordifolia, var. SEMPERVIRENS. 3. Viala and Ravaz, Am. Vines, 1903:78. fig. of leaf.
Vitis cordifolia sempervirens is a south-Florida form of Cordifolia named and first described by Munson in the Revue Viticole. It differs from typical Cordifolia in having leaves which are thicker, narrower, more oblong, with a long lanceolate point, completely glabrous and more or less glossy on both surfaces. These leaves remain on the vines very late in the season. This variety is said to be very resistant to an excess of lime in the soil.
1. Bailey, Gray’s Syn. Fl., 1:424. 1897. V. cordifolia, var. Helleri. 2. Viala and Ravaz, Am. Vines, 1903:79. V. cordifolia var.
Vitis cordifolia helleri is first mentioned by Bailey in 1897. It differs from the ordinary forms of Cordifolia in having more circular leaves without the lanceolate point. Viala and Ravaz state that such forms are found in clay soils. Bailey refers to it as an upland south-Texas form found at altitudes of from 1600 to 2000 feet.
1. Munson, U. S. D. A. Pom. Bul., 3:14. 1890. V. Virginiana. 2. Ib., Gar. and For., 3:474, 475. 1890. V. Virginiana. 3. Ib., Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1893:116. Possum grape. 4. Ib., Bush. Cat., 1894:20. V. Virginiana. 5. Britton and Brown, 2:411. 1897. V. Virginiana. 6. Bailey, Gray’s Syn. Fl., 1:424. 1897. Possum grape. 7. Munson, Tex. Sta. Bul., 56:231, 240. 1900. Possum grape.
Vine climbing, but of only medium vigor (less vigorous than Cordifolia). Canes slender, with short internodes, and with very many short side shoots; shoots angular, densely whitish or rusty pubescent or woolly along the angles; mature canes round, nearly smooth; diaphragms thick; tendrils intermittent, usually trifid. Leaves with blade long, cordate, frequently smaller than Cordifolia, shortly but distinctly three-lobed (lobes mostly pointed and much spreading), bright green, but not shining, above, gray below, slightly pubescent at maturity only on veins; apex short, acuminate, acute or blunt; teeth comparatively small and notched-like, regular, not prominently acute. Clusters large; peduncle long; pedicel slender, short, making the bunch very compact. Berries very small, black with little or no bloom, intensely acid until very ripe or frosted. Seeds small to very small, slightly notched on top; chalaza depressed, oblong-oval; raphe broad, slightly distinct. Leafing, flowering and ripening fruit very late.
This species seems to have been first described by Munson in 1890 under the name of Vitis virginiana. In 1893 he issued a leaflet changing the name to Vitis baileyana.
It is an upland species growing in the mountain valleys (800 feet and upward) of southwestern Virginia, West Virginia, western North Carolina, Tennessee, northern Georgia and the uplands of western central Georgia.
Baileyana can be propagated from cuttings only with difficulty. It is of no importance horticulturally.
1. Planchon, Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris, 91:425. 1880. (cited by 5). 2. Journ. La Vigne amer., 1880:318. (cited by 5.) 3. Gar. Mon., 23:25. 1881. V. aestivalis, var. monticola; V. monticola seedling; V. cordifolia coriacea. 4. (?) Engelmann, Bush. Cat., 1883:15. V. monticola. 5. Planchon, De Candolle’s Mon. Phan., 5:323, 341. 1887. V. monticola. 6. An. Hort., 1889:101. 7. Munson, U. S. D. A. Pom. Bul., 3:14. 1890. V. Monticola, Mil. 8. Ib., Gar. and For., 3:474, 475. 1890. 9. Ib., Am. Gard., 12:659. 1891. 10. Ib., Bush. Cat., 1894:20, 22, 29. V. monticola, Engelm. 11. Bailey, Gray’s Syn. Fl., 1:425. 1897. Mountain grape; Spanish grape; Fall grape; Winter grape. 12. Beach, N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:536, 557. 1898. 13. Munson, Tex. Sta. Bul., 56:231, 234, 235, 240, 261. 1900. fig. Little Mountain grape. 14. Viala and Ravaz, Am. Vines, 1903:42, 61.
Vine moderately vigorous, climbing; shoots more or less angled and pubescent; pubescence remaining only in patches on mature wood; canes mostly with short internodes; diaphragms thick; tendrils intermittent, long, strong, bifid or trifid. Leaves with small stipules; leaf-blade rather large, broadly cordate, notched or shortly three-lobed; petiolar sinus rather open, V- or U-shaped, margin with broad but rather shallow teeth, rather dark, glossy green above, grayish pubescence below when young; becoming glabrous and even glossy except on ribs and veins, when mature. Clusters large, compact, compound, with long peduncle. Berries small, black, with thin bloom, juicy, rather tart but pleasant tasting when thoroughly ripe. Seeds few, medium to small, short, plump, oval or roundish with short beak; chalaza oval or roundish, distinct; raphe narrow, slightly distinct to indistinct. Leafing, flowering and ripening fruit very late.
This species was described under the name Vitis berlandieri by Planchon in 1880. The description was made from herbarium specimens collected by the Swiss botanist, Berlandier,[142] in Texas in 1834, and also from living plants which had been shipped into France. Planchon states that this is the Monticola of Engelmann, but not the Monticola of Buckley. Buckley’s description is admittedly unsatisfactory but it does not seem that Planchon is justified in saying that Engelmann was mistaken when the latter probably had better opportunities for determining Buckley’s meaning than Planchon.
Berlandieri is a native of the limestone hills of southwest Texas and adjacent Mexico. According to Munson, it grows “in the same region with V. monticola but is less restricted locally, growing from the tops of the hills all along down and along the creek bottoms of those regions.” Its great virtue is that it withstands a soil largely composed of lime. It is superior to all other American species in this respect. This and its moderate degree of vigor (not quite so vigorous as Cinerea, according to Munson) has recommended it to the French growers as a stock for their calcareous soils. The roots are strong, thick and very resistant to phylloxera.
It is propagated by cuttings with comparative ease, but its varieties are variable in this respect, some not rooting at all easily. While the fruit of this species shows a large cluster, the berries are small and sour, and Berlandieri is not regarded as having any promise for culture in America.
1. Engelmann, Gray’s Man., Edition 5. 1867:679. V. aestivalis, var. CINEREA. 2. (?) Ib., Am. Nat., 2:321. 1868. V. aestivalis, var. CANESCENS. 3. Ib., Mo. Ent. Rpt., 1872:61. V. aestivalis, var. CINEREA. 4. Ib., Bush. Cat., 1883:10, 11, 12, 14, 16. Downy grape of Mississippi Valley. 5. Munson, Am. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1885:133. 6. Ib., Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1885:97, 98. Ashy-leaved grape; Sweet Winter grape. 7. Ib., Soc. Prom. Ag. Sci. Rpt., 1887:59. Ashy grape; Sweet Winter grape. 8. Planchon, De Candolle’s Mon. Phan., 5:323, 343. 1887. 9. Munson, U. S. D. A. Pom. Bul., 3:14. 1890. 10. Ib., Gar. and For., 3:474, 475. 1890. 11. Britton and Brown, 2:409. 1897. V. aestivalis, var. canescens; V. aestivalis, var. cinerea; Downy grape. 12. Bailey, Gray’s Syn. Fl., 1:425. 1897. Sweet Winter grape. 13. Beach, N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:536, 557. 1898. 14. Munson Tex. Sta. Bul., 56:218, 231, 240. 1900. Sweet Winter grape; Ashy grape. 15. Viala and Ravaz, Am. Vines, 1903:42, 80.
Vine vigorous, climbing; shoots more or less angled, covered with grayish pubescence which persists into winter; diaphragms thick to very thick; internodes medium to long; tendrils intermittent, long and strong, bifid. Leaves large, cordate, seldom lobed but frequently notched; frequently resembling a linden leaf; petiolar sinus medium in depth and width, rounded; margin shallowly but sharply toothed; upper surface cobwebby when young, becoming glabrous and dull when mature; lower surface and petiole covered with grayish cobwebby pubescence. Cluster large, rather loose; peduncle long; pedicel slender. Berries small, black, with little if any bloom. Seeds small, plump, short beak; chalaza round or oval, distinct; raphe ridge-like, distinct to slightly distinct. Ripening very late, becoming sweet after frost.
Cinerea is very closely allied to Aestivalis and was for a long time considered a part of that species. In 1867 Engelmann described it under the name Vitis aestivalis, var. cinerea, but in 1883 he made it a species and it has been generally regarded by botanists that the points of difference between the two forms are such that the Cinerea deserves specific recognition.
Its habitat is New York, west to Nebraska and Kansas with about 40 degrees as a northern limit, southward to the Gulf. Cinerea grows along streams mostly in limy soils, and is seldom found in very dry land. It covers about the same range as Cordifolia excepting that it grows nearer the Gulf and extends across the Rio Grande into Mexico.
The species is very late in blooming, later even than Cordifolia. It can be propagated from cuttings only with difficulty. It is probably of no importance horticulturally unless it be for wet lands.