Vitis palmata aka Catbird Grape

Vitis palmata is a deciduous vine in the grape family, Vitaceae. Its common names include red grape and catbird grape. It comes from the central and southern United States. Its range includes Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. It also reaches Texas, Louisiana, and northern Florida. Wild plants grow on sandy banks and rocky ground. They also occur beside ponds and sloughs.

This vine climbs with tendrils and sheds its leaves each year. PFAF reports a climbing height of 66 feet [20 metres]. The evidence gives no separate size range for garden plants. Allow for its climbing form when choosing a planting site. A sunny woodland edge is one suggested garden setting. It can also grow in the light shade of woodland. The supplied sources give no species-level details about bark or leaf shape.

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 fruit grows in small bunches and becomes sweet when ripe. Each fruit can measure about 0.03 feet [0.01 metres] across. A warm, sunny site helps the fruit ripen. The fruit can be eaten raw or dried for winter. Young leaves can wrap other foods before baking. They add flavour to the food within. Young tendrils can also be eaten raw or cooked.

For cultivation, choose deep, rich loam that drains well. The plant prefers moderate soil fertility and moist ground. It also tolerates dry soil, according to PFAF. It can grow in sand, loam, or clay. Its accepted pH range runs from mildly acid to mildly alkaline. Lime-rich soil suits it well. Sun and partial shade both support growth. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 4–8 for this species. Prune in winter while the vine is dormant. Cuts made during active growth can cause heavy sap loss.

The leaves provide a yellow dye, whether fresh or dried. PFAF records no known medicinal use and no known hazards. That hazard statement does not establish safety for pets. The supplied evidence identifies no species-specific pests or diseases. PFAF does not flag the vine as a weed risk. Propagation options include seed and dormant hardwood cuttings. Seed may germinate slowly, sometimes waiting until a second spring.