Biology:Vitis mustangensis
| Mustang grape | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Vitales |
| Family: | Vitaceae |
| Genus: | Vitis |
| Species: | V. mustangensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Vitis mustangensis Buckley
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Vitis candicans Engelm. ex Durand | |
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.[1][2]
Description
This woody species produces small clusters of hard green fruit that ripen into soft 3⁄4-inch (2 cm) dark purple berries between July –September.
They have a thick outer layer of flesh and on average contain four heart-shaped seeds. This variety of grape is recognized by the leaves that have a white velvet-like underside and lobed, cordate shape. These vines often cover trees, shrubs, fences and other objects that it grows near.[3]
V. mustangensis is dioecious, with only female vines bearing fruit.[4]
Culinary use
The fruit can be potentially irritating to the skin when handled, and are mildly unpleasant to eat raw because of bitterness and a high acidity content.
This grape has a list of culinary use as jelly, pie-filling, wine and grape juice, all of which are typically processed with heat and sweetened with sugar. [4]
Mustang grapes have been used to make mustang wine since before the Civil War.[5]
The fruit and leaves of Mustang Grapes may also be used to dye wool.[6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 {{citation | mode = cs1 | title = Vitis mustangensis | work = Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) | url = | publisher = [[Organization:Agricultural Research ServAgricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) | access-date = 2010-12-07 }}
- ↑ "Floristic Synthesis of NA. Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map" (png). BONAP. 2004-02-11. http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Vitis%20mustangensis.png.
- ↑ Lynch, Daniel. Native and Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin and the Hill Country. Saint Edward's University, 1981, p. 95.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Wild Harvest: Texas' Bounty of Native Fruits|| TPW magazine|August/September 2013". https://tpwmagazine.com/archive/2013/aug/ed_3_wildharvest/.
- ↑ C. Allan Jones, Texas Roots: Agriculture and Rural Life Before the Civil War, College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University Press, 2005, pp. 148-149 [1]
- ↑ Tull, Delena. Edible and Useful Plants of Texas and the Southwest: A Practical Guide. University of Texas Press, 1987, pp. 206-208.
External links
- Agie-horticulture.edu, Texas Native Shrubs — Vitis mustangensis (Mustang Grape)
- Natives of Texas.com: Mustang Grape (Vitis mustangensis)
- UTexas.edu: Image archive of Vitis mustangensis (Mustang Grape)
- Flora of North America: Vitis mustangensis
- Plants of the World Online: Vitis mustangensis
Wikidata ☰ Q138120 entry
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