Vitis acerifolia aka Bush Grape

Vitis acerifolia is a deciduous climbing shrub in the grape family, Vitaceae. Its common names include bush grape and maple-leaved grape. It comes from the central and southern United States. Its range includes Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas. Kew places its native range from Colorado to Texas. It grows in a temperate climate and is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This vine can reach about 33 feet [10 metres] in height. Tendrils help it climb through nearby plants and over supports. In the wild, it scrambles across rocks and shrubs. Its habitats include ravines, sandy shores, stream bottoms, and rocky slopes. These settings show where it grows within its native range. In gardens, it suits sunny woodland edges and sites with dappled shade. It loses its leaves for winter.

Flowers appear from June to July, and insects pollinate them. Each flower has both male and female organs. Seeds ripen from September to October. The sweet fruit measures about 0.05 feet [0.016 metres] across. People can eat it fresh or dry it for later use. Young leaves can wrap food before baking and add flavour. Young tendrils can also be eaten raw or cooked. Fresh or dried leaves yield a yellow dye. Plants For A Future lists no known medicinal uses.

For cultivation, choose deep, rich loam that drains well. The soil should hold moisture without staying waterlogged. Moderately fertile soil suits it, and it favours lime-rich ground. It accepts sandy, loamy, and clay soils with suitable drainage. Its stated pH range spans mildly acid to mildly alkaline. It grows in sun or partial shade. A warm, sunny site helps the fruit ripen. Plants For A Future lists USDA hardiness zones 5–9. The same source says it accepts dry or moist soil.

Prune in winter while the vine rests. Cuts made during active growth can lose much sap. Seed and mature wood cuttings offer ways to raise plants. Sow fresh seed in a cold frame after it ripens. Six weeks of cold treatment can improve germination. Some seed may take an extra year to sprout. Keep young seedlings in a cold frame through their first winter. Plant them out in early summer. Plants For A Future reports no known hazards for this species. That statement does not establish safety for pets.