Mustang grape facts for kids
The mustang grape (scientific name: Vitis mustangensis) is a type of wild grape. You can find it growing in the southern parts of the United States. This includes states like Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma.
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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What Does the Mustang Grape Look Like?
This plant is a woody vine. It grows small bunches of green fruit. These fruits turn dark purple when they are ripe. They are about 3⁄4-inch (2 cm) across. This happens around August or September.
Mustang grapes have a thick outer layer of fruit. They usually have about four seeds inside. A special way to spot this grape is by its leaves. The underside of the leaves feels like white velvet. The vines often cover small trees, bushes, and fences.
How Mustang Grapes Reproduce
Mustang grape plants are dioecious. This means they have separate male and female plants. Only the female vines can grow fruit. The male vines produce pollen but no grapes.
How People Use Mustang Grapes
Mustang grapes are not usually eaten fresh. They can make your skin a bit itchy when you pick them. They also taste bitter and very sour.
People often use these grapes to make jelly or grape juice. They add a lot of sugar to make them taste good. You can also bake them into cobblers. Old cookbooks from the region have recipes for this.
Before the Civil War, people even made mustang wine from these grapes. The fruit and leaves of Mustang Grapes can also be used to dye wool.
