Kingdom Plantae Family Vitaceae Scientific name Vitis mustangensis Rank Species | Order Vitales Genus Vitis Higher classification Grapevines | |
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Similar Grapevines, Vitis monticola, Vitis palmata, Vitis cinerea, Vitis shuttleworthii | ||
Vitis mustangensis, commonly known as the mustang grape, is a species of grape that is native to the southern United States. Its range includes parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma.
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Description
This woody species produces small clusters of hard green fruit that ripen into soft 3⁄4-inch (2 cm) dark purple berries in August-September.
They have a thick outer layer of flesh and on average contain four seeds. This variety of grape is recognized by the white velvet-like underside of the leaves, and often covers small trees, shrubs, fences and other objects that it grows near.
Culinary use
The fruit can be potentially irritating to the skin when picked or eaten, and are mildly unpleasant to eat because of bitterness and high acidity content.
The grape has a culinary use as jelly and grape juice, both of which are typically sweetened with sugar so as to be palatable. The fruit and leaves of Mustang Grapes may also be used to dye wool.
Mustang grapes have also been used to make mustang wine since before the Civil War.