Vitis rupestris aka Rock Grape

Vitis rupestris is a deciduous grape in the Vitaceae family. Its common names include bush grape and sand grape. It comes from the east-central and southeastern United States. Its native range includes Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Records also place it farther north and east. Some of those populations may have died out. It grows on sandy banks, shores and hills in temperate regions.

This climbing shrub reaches about 6.6 feet [2 metres] tall. It uses tendrils to grip supports as it grows. Its leaves fall at the end of the growing season. Flowers appear from May to June. Plants For A Future describes flowers with both male and female organs. Insects carry pollen between the flowers. The fruit grows in bunches, with each grape measuring about 0.02–0.04 feet [0.006–0.012 metres] across. Seeds ripen from September to October.

Grow it in sun or part shade, with good drainage. A warm, sunny site helps the grapes ripen. It prefers deep, rich loam with moderate fertility. It also accepts sandy ground and clay. Suitable soil can range from mildly acid to mildly alkaline. Plants For A Future notes that it grows best in lime-rich soil. It accepts dry or moist ground, though moist loam is preferred. A sunny woodland edge or a site with dappled shade suits its listed garden uses.

Prune during winter, while the plant is dormant. Cuts made during active growth can lose large amounts of sap. This species resists phylloxera, a pest that has damaged European grape crops. Growers use it as rootstock for Vitis vinifera where phylloxera occurs. Breeders also use it to pass resistance into other grapes. Seed and mature wood cuttings offer ways to raise new plants. Stored seed benefits from six weeks of cold treatment. Germination may take until the first spring or a year longer.

The sweet fruit can be eaten fresh or dried. Cooked leaves are edible, and young leaves can wrap foods for baking. Young tendrils can be eaten raw or cooked. Fresh or dried leaves also yield a yellow dye. Plants For A Future lists no known hazards or medicinal uses. Its weed assessment does not flag this species as weedy. The supplied evidence gives no firm cold-hardiness limit or pet-safety assessment.