Cat grape facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Catbird grape |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Vitis
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| Species: |
palmata
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The Catbird grape (also called cat grape or Missouri grape) is a type of tall, climbing plant. It belongs to the grape family, just like the grapes you might eat! This plant is a liana, which means it's a woody vine that climbs up trees and other plants to reach sunlight.
You can find the Catbird grape growing naturally in the southern and central United States. Its home stretches from Texas east to Florida, and north along the Mississippi River valley up to Illinois. Sometimes, you might see it in the Northeast too, but those plants were likely brought there by people. The Catbird grape loves wet places, but it can also grow in drier spots. You might even spot it climbing along fences!
What Does the Catbird Grape Look Like?
The scientific name "palmata" gives us a clue about its leaves. It means "hand-shaped."
Leaves and Branches
The leaves of the Catbird grape look a bit like a hand. They usually have 3 to 5 pointed "fingers" or lobes. Each leaf is oval-shaped and typically measures about 10 to 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) long and wide. They are usually smooth and don't have many hairs.
This plant also has special parts called tendrils. These are like little curly "arms" that help the vine grab onto things and climb. The tendrils on the Catbird grape are branched, meaning they split into smaller parts.
The branches themselves are often a reddish color. The leaves, tendrils, flowers, and fruit all grow from these branches.
Flowers and Fruit
The Catbird grape's flowers appear in late Spring. They grow in dense clusters called panicles, which are about 5 to 15 centimeters (2 to 6 inches) long.
Later in the Summer, the plant produces dark purple or blackish berries. These berries are small, usually about 5 to 8 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) across. Many birds and animals enjoy eating these berries. People can also use them to make wild grape jelly. However, not all of the berries are very juicy or have a strong flavor.
