Vitis palmata (common names are catbird grape,[1]cat grape,[4] and Missouri grape[3]) is a
New World species of tall, climbing
liana in the
grape family native to the south-central and southeastern parts of the
United States, from
Texas east to
Florida and northwards along the
Mississippi Valley to
Illinois. There are additional reports of isolated populations in the
Northeast, but these are probably introductions.[1][4][5]) The species does best in wet habitats but is adaptable enough to occasionally take
root in higher-ground habitats.[1] It is sometimes found at the edges of fences.[4]
Description
The epithet "palmata" notes its characteristic, palmately lobed
leaves (3–5 lobes per leaf, acuminate with rounded
sinuses). These are ovate, and typically about 10–15 cm long and wide, usually lacking hairs.[4]
Its dark purple or blackish
berries measure 5–8 mm in diameter, and come into ripeness late in the Summer. They are consumed by many birds and animals, and can be made into wild grape
jelly, although not all are juicy or particularly flavorful.[4]
Leaves and tendrils, flowers and fruit all spring from herbaceous, crimson branches[4]
References
^
abcdVitis palmata was originally published in Symb. Bot. 3: 42. 1794. R.P. Wunderlin; B.F. Hansen (2008).
"Vitis palmata". Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.
Tampa, Florida: Institute for Systematic Botany,
University of South Florida. Retrieved May 6, 2010.