August 18, 2000

     Wild Grapes

Wild grapes are found in thickets, edges of forests and along streams, and the fruit becomes ripe in August and September.  Now is the time when ripe grapes offer hikers a refreshing snack.

Wild grapes can be used for any recipe calling for grapes, but because they are tart, they generally need more sweetening than cultivated grapes when they are made into juice, jelly and syrup.

A grape vine is a climbing, woody perennial, best recognized by its alternate simple leaves that are lobed and toothed, and by its purple, seeded berries that grow in bunches.  There is danger in confusing wild grape vines with a Virginia creeper vine, which has poisonous fruits resembling grapes in size and color.

I have seen both vines growing up the same tree.  But the Virginia creeper, unlike the grape, has palmately compound leaves -- each with five leaflets -- and the branches holding the purple fruit clusters are conspicuously red.