Fox grape
Vitis labrusca
Family: Vitaceae
What it is like
A woody vine. It keeps growing from year to year. The young shoots are long and like felt. The leaves are large and 3 lobed. They are deep green above and like felt and white underneath. The leaves are leathery and 15-30 cm long. The flowers are in closely branched groups with male and female flowers in the same group. The fruit are large and purple-black. They are 2-3 cm across. They have a musky flavour.
There are 60 to 70 species of Vitis.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It needs full sun and a well-drained fertile soil. It is more resistant to insect, pest and diseases than Vitis vinifera. It suits plant hardiness zones 4-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Albania, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Brazil, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, East Africa, Europe, Georgia, Madagascar, Marquesas, Mediterranean, North America, South America, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Ukraine, USA
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten raw. They are also dried or preserved. They are used for juice, jellies, jams, pies, conserves and syrups. They are used for drinks or fermented into wine or vinegar. The leaves are eaten cooked and used to wrap other foods. They are also preserved in salt. The leaves are used for sarma in Turkey. They are rolled around a filling of rice or minced meat.
It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves, oil, sap
How it is grown
Plants are grown by grafting.
Its other names
Local names
Adessa, American wine grape, Catawba, Concord grape, Izabela, Northern fox grape, Skunk grape, Slip skin grape, Uva-americana