Scuppernong facts for kids
The scuppernong is a special kind of grape. It's a large variety of muscadine grapes. These grapes originally come from the Southern United States. Scuppernongs are usually greenish or bronze. They look and feel a bit like white grapes. But scuppernongs are rounder and bigger. People first called them the 'big white grape'. In some parts of the Southern U.S., they have other nicknames. These include "scuplin," "scufalum," or "scupadine." The scuppernong is also the official state fruit of North Carolina.
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History of the Scuppernong Grape
The name "scuppernong" comes from the Scuppernong River. This river is mainly in the coastal area of North Carolina. The grape was first written about in 1524. An explorer named Giovanni da Verrazzano saw "many vines growing naturally there." He was exploring the Cape Fear River Valley at the time.
Later, in 1584, explorers working for Walter Raleigh also wrote about grapes. Captains Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe said North Carolina's coast was "so full of grapes." They thought there was no other place in the world with so many. In 1585, Governor Ralph Lane also described North Carolina. He said it had "rich and pleasant grapes of such greatness."
People started growing scuppernongs in the 1600s. This happened especially in Tyrell County, North Carolina. In 1755, Isaac Alexander found a scuppernong vine. He was hunting near a stream that flowed into Scuppernong Lake. The name "scuppernong" comes from an old Native American word. The Algonquian word ascopo means "sweet bay tree."
How Scuppernong Grapes Grow
Scuppernong grapes grow best where it doesn't get too cold. They can get hurt if winter temperatures drop below 10° Fahrenheit (–12 °C). Some types of scuppernongs can grow further north. These include varieties like Magnolia and Carlos. They can survive in Virginia and near the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Muscadine grapes, including scuppernongs, are strong plants. They don't get sick easily. They also resist many pests. Over 100 years of careful growing has created new types. Some bronze-colored ones are Carlos and Triumph. These new types have both male and female flower parts. The original scuppernong only had female flower parts.
The Famous "Mother Vine"
There is a very old scuppernong vine called the "Mother Vine." It is on Roanoke Island, North Carolina. This vine is thought to be about 400 years old. It might even be the oldest cultivated grapevine in the world!
Scuppernong in Music
The word Scuppernong is also the name of a piano piece. It has three parts and was written by John Wesley Work III.
