The Vine Family
What are they?
The members of the family Vitaceae are the true vines, as this is the family that contains the cultivated grape. Most members of the vine family have rather small, greenish or yellowish flowers, which are followed by bunches of berries that are much-loved by a wide range of wildlife.
Where are they found?
Native species are mostly plants of open woodland and woodland edge, where the scramble and climb into the tree canopy. Introduced species will more likely be found in scrubby, disturbed sites such as hedgerows, roadsides and old or abandoned gardens.
Identification
Most species are readily identified by a combination of leaf shape and fruit. The species in the genus Vitis can be much harder, as the leaves are very variable in appearance and attention to stem detail and tendrils may be necessary.
Fox Grape Vitis labrusca
Seemingly a rare species in Cape May County, with few current locations known. Should be looked for anywhere in open woodland, scrubby hedgelines and roadsides, however. Flowers late May to early July. Vigorous shoots have a tendril or flowering stem at almost every leaf node, with only the odd leaf here and there without. Underside of leaf with a noticeable covering of rusty, cobwebby hairs.
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with cobweb of hairs |
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Summer Grape Vitis aestivalis
Widespread in all kinds of habitats and by far the commonest wild grape in the county. Flowers late May to early July. Vigorous shoots have a tendril or flowering stem at two out of every three leaf nodes. Underside of leaf whitish with a scant covering of whitish or brownish, cobwebby hairs.
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with cobweb of hairs |
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Silverleaf Grape Vitis aestivalis variety bicolor
The silverleaf Grape is currently considered to be a mere variety of the Summer Grape, though the two are very different to each other. This form is easily identified by its leaves which are startlingly white underneath and are more or less unlobed. Frequent in shady field margins and woodland edge, especially where the ground is damp. Flowers late May to July.
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silver-white |
white fluff |
Frost Grape Vitis vulpina
An uncommon species in Cape May, most likely to be found in damp woodland close to permanent water sources. Flowers late May to July. Though leaf shape of grapes is highly variable, this species tends to have more sharply toothed leaves than the other grapes in the area and the leaves have hairs on the underside confined to the veins.
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with hairy veins |
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Porcelainberry Ampelopsis brevipedunculata
This plant was originally introduced to North America from eastern Asia as an attractive garden plant, because of its remarkable berry color. However, it has become an unmitigated ecological disaster in many areas, not least around Cape May Point, where huge areas of native vegetation are completely swamped by this aggresive species. Can occur anywhere along roadsides, hedge lines, abandoned ground and woodland or field margins. Flowers June to July.
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deeply lobed |
and flowers |
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Common Virginia-creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia
A common and widespread species of open woodland and wooded margins. Flowers June to August. Plants often trail across the ground before finding something to climb up.
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five lobes |
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Moonseed Menispermum canadense
A climbing plant that appears always to have been rare in Cape May County and may only be an introduction here, though it is native in the north of New Jersey. It was reported from the Villas area in the early 20th Century and can still be found there. Flowers June to August. This plant is not related to the true vines but is placed here as its leaves and climbing style make it confusable with them.
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