Mustang grape facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mustang grape |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Vitis
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| Species: |
mustangensis
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| Synonyms | |
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Vitis candicans Engelm. ex Durand |
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Vitis mustangensis, commonly known as the mustang grape, is a species of grape that is native to the southern United States. Its range includes parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma.
Description
This woody species produces small clusters of hard green fruit that ripen into soft 3⁄4-inch (2 cm) dark purple berries in August–September.
They have a thick outer layer of flesh and on average contain four seeds. This variety of grape is recognized by the white velvet-like underside of the leaves, and often covers small trees, shrubs, fences and other objects that it grows near.
V. mustangensis is dioecious, with only female vines bearing fruit.
Culinary use
The fruit can be potentially irritating to the skin when picked or eaten, and are mildly unpleasant to eat because of bitterness and high acidity content.
The grape has a culinary use as jelly and grape juice, both of which are typically sweetened with sugar so as to be palatable. They can also be baked into cobblers, as some early cookbooks in the region directed.
Mustang grapes have also been used to make mustang wine since before the Civil War.
The fruit and leaves of Mustang Grapes may also be used to dye wool.
