The possum grape vine (Vitis cinerea) is a native woody perennial vine of North America and a wild relative of cultivated grapes. It is common across the eastern and central United States, often found in riparian zones and forest edges. The vine’s common name likely reflects its value as a food source for wildlife, including the Virginia opossum, as its fruits persist into late autumn and winter.
Identifying the Possum Grape Vine
The leaves are typically large, up to 8 inches long, and heart-shaped, with a dull green color on the upper surface. A key identifying feature is the dense covering of white to gray, cobwebby hairs found on the underside of the leaves and young branchlets. This covering gives the vine a characteristic gray or felted appearance. Mature leaves are often shallowly three-lobed and have finely to coarsely toothed margins.
Mature vines develop a woody base with shaggy, peeling bark that is often reddish-brown. Unlike many other wild grapes, the leaves of Vitis cinerea do not have deep lobes. The fruit is a small, round berry, usually about 3/8 of an inch (1 cm) long, which starts green and ripens to a juicy, black color. The mature fruit lacks the whitish, waxy bloom seen on many other grape species.
Geographic Range and Habitat
The possum grape vine is indigenous to the eastern half of North America, with its native range extending from the eastern United States west to Texas and Nebraska, and north to Illinois. It is particularly common in moist, lowland habitats, flourishing along floodplains. The vine is a high-climbing species that can reach heights of up to 40 feet by utilizing tendrils that develop opposite its leaves.
The vine is often found in floodplain woodlands, wet thickets, and along partially shaded riverbanks. While it thrives in these wet areas, it is adaptable enough to be found in forest edges and disturbed areas like fence rows and powerline clearances. Its ability to tolerate various light conditions, including semi-shade, contributes to its widespread presence in the understory and edges of wooded areas.
Edibility and Human Uses
The fruit of the possum grape vine is edible, but its flavor profile shifts as it matures. When fully ripened, the small black berries are sweet-tart, though they can have a slightly bitter or unpleasant taste when eaten fresh. The tartness improves after the first hard frost of late autumn, which concentrates the sugars and softens the fruit.
The grapes are generally not consumed raw in large quantities, but they are used for making processed foods like jellies, jams, and juices. The high acidity and pectin content are beneficial for creating preserves that set well and possess a deep, pleasant flavor. The fruit is also used for wine-making. Additionally, young leaves and tendrils can be consumed raw or cooked, and the leaves are sometimes used to wrap foods before baking, imparting a pleasant flavor.
Ecological Role in the Wild
The possum grape vine primarily serves as a widespread food source in its native ecosystems. The ripened fruit is consumed by a variety of wildlife, including numerous bird species such as cardinals, thrushes, and crows, which aids in seed dispersal. Mammals like the Virginia opossum, raccoon, deer, and fox also forage on the berries, which remain available later in the season.
Beyond its fruit, the foliage and smaller branches are browsed by white-tailed deer. The vine provides protective cover and nesting habitat for birds, with species like the mockingbird and cardinal occasionally using strips of its shaggy bark as nesting material. As a host plant, Vitis cinerea supports the life cycles of various insects, including the larvae of several species of sphinx moths, beetles, and plant bugs.