Wild grape facts for kids

Wild grapes are a type of grape that grows naturally in the wild. They are not planted or cared for by people. There are many different kinds, or species, of wild grapes. It can be tricky to tell them apart because they look quite similar. Some common types you might find are the Fox grape (vitis labrusca), Summer grape (vitis aestivalis), and Riverbank grape (vitis riparia).

What Are Wild Grapes Like?

Wild grapes grow on woody vines that can climb very high, sometimes over thirty feet! Their leaves are large and have three main sections, with jagged edges like teeth. The bark of the vine is brownish-gray and often looks like it's peeling or shredding.

Wild grape vines use special little helpers called tendrils. These are like tiny, curly arms that reach out and grab onto branches or the bark of bigger plants. This helps the vine climb up and get lots of sunlight.

Where Do Wild Grapes Grow?

You can find wild grapes in many places. They often grow along streambanks, at the edges of ponds, next to roads, and in open woods. If you see a wild grape vine in a forest, it's probably very old and has grown up right alongside a tall tree.

Flowers and Fruit

Wild grape flowers are small and green. They usually bloom during the months of May, June, and July. The fruit, of course, is what grapes are famous for! Wild grapes grow large berries in bunches, with up to twenty grapes in one cluster.

The fruit becomes ripe from August to October. Each berry usually has two to six seeds inside.

How Do Wild Grapes Help Nature?

Wild grape fruit is super important for many kinds of wildlife. When animals eat the berries, they help spread the grape seeds to new places. This helps more wild grape vines grow in different areas.

Many birds also love to build their nests in the thick tangles of wild grape vines. They even use pieces of the vine's bark to help build their cozy homes.

Gallery

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  Vitis labrusca with berries

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  Vitis riparia

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  Vitis riparia leaves and fruit