Mustang Grape

Vitis mustangensis

Vitaceae (Grape Family)

Photo Credit; Holmes, James Garland, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=57131

Photo Credit: Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=7686

Marcus, Joseph A., https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=14249

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Native Habitat: Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies

Maintenance

Prune to control growth and height

Comments

14 native grape vines in Texas. Common and easily recognized with white, velvety surface on lower side of leaves. Native Habitat: Woodlands’ edge, opening, thickets, stream, river bank, fence rows. Climbs over shrubs and into trees, often shading their leaves. Grapes up to ¾” in diameter, few to the bunch, ripening to dark purple, and usually bitter, even irritating, but popular with makers of homemade wine. Birds love the purple fruit.

Growth Form

Vine

Height

36 to

72 ft

Spread

5 to

1 ft

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Limestone, Calcareous, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Medium

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

White, Red

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Fruit

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Small Mammals

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Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Vitis candicans, Vitis candicans var. diversa, Vitis mustangensis var. diversa

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VIMU2. 3) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=24091&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 4) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=28621#null

Native Plant Society of Texas