Trees Planet: Vitis arizonica - Canyon Grape

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Vitis arizonica - Canyon Grape - Arizona Grape

General Information

Common Name	Canyon Grape, Arizona Grape
Scientific Name	Vitis arizonica
Sun Tolerance	Full Sun
Height	9-12 m (30 - 40 ft)
Spread	1.8 -2.4 m (6 - 8 ft)
Growth Rate	Fast
Bloom Time	Spring
Color	Green,
Flower Color	White
Type	Creepers & Climbers
Native	United States, Europe

Classification

Kingdom	Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision	Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division	Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class	Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass	Rosidae
Order/	Rhamnales
Family	Vitaceae – Grape family
Genus	Vitis L. – Grape
Species	V. arizonica

Vitis arizonica - Canyon Grape

Vitis arizonica commonly known as Canyon grape also called Arizona grape. It is native to North American species of wild grape. It is a deciduous vine. It is very common wild grape. The deep purple fruits can be found in moist canyons at moderate elevations. It is climber vine. It is long lived and dense patches are possible. It has many branches with weak tendrils and grows 9-12 m (30-40 ft) in height. The leaves vary greatly in shape. The large simple leaves are arranged alternately and typically have 3 shallow lobes. Leaves measure 1 to 5 inches (3-12 cm) long with a similar or slightly larger width

It blooms white or near white flowers in spring. Small flowers occur in 2 to 4 inch (4-10 cm)-long clusters that are borne opposite the leaves. Young leaves are wrapped around other foods and then baked, they impart a pleasant flavor. Young tendrils - raw or cooked. The Fruits are juicy; thin skinned, and approximately 0.2 to 0.4 inch (6-10 mm) in diameter. They house 2 to 4 pear-shaped seeds that measure 4 to 5 mm long. The fruit is very popular with birds and can disappear quickly when ripe. The ripe grapes are edible and quite flavorful. Like those of cultivated grapes, the young leaves are also edible and can be used as a wrap for baked food.