(Bush Grape)

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Vitis acerifolia, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9659

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Vitis acerifolia, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9670

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Vitis acerifolia, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9663

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Vitis acerifolia, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9675

Scientific Name Vitis acerifolia USDA PLANTS Symbol VIAC2
Common Name Bush Grape, Maple-leaf Grape ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 28611
Family Vitaceae (Grape) SEINet
Reference
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Description Life zones and habitat: Plains (3500 to 5000 ft.); ravines, streambanks, dunes, rocky slopes and fencerows; often covering rocks and other shrubs.
Plant: Woody, climbing vine, low to moderately high; much-branched, growing branchlet tips enveloped by unfolding leaves; tendrils along length of branchlets, becoming deciduous if not attached to support.
Leaves: Blades broadly cordate, 2.8 to 4.7 inches long, usually shallowly 3-lobed; upper surface with cobweb-like hairs, lower the same on veins; margins are serrate; petioles are 1/2 to 2/3 the length of the blade.
Inflorescence: Many (20 to 150) fragrant unisexual flowers in a compound thyrse opposite a leaf, 1-1/4 to 2-3/4 inches long; each flower with 5 very small white petals and 5 sepal; staminate flowers with 5 stamens up to 0.1 inch long; pistillate flowers with 1 style and single, lobed stigma.
Bloom Period: May to July.
Fruit: Black, round berries 0.3 to 0.5-inch in diameter, smooth but glaucous; fruiting July to August.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses and Flora of North America.
BONAP Distribution Map


Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Native
Rare

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains