# Fox Grape (*vitis labrusca*) The Fox Grape produces sweet, juicy grapes that are enjoyed by many animals! It can be found climbing up trees and fences, making the world a little greener. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Fox Grapes thrive in forests, fields, and near riverbanks. - **Also known as:** Labrusca Grape, Northern Fox Grape ![Fox Grape](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/ConcordGrapes.jpg&width=800) Photo: Unknown Unknown ; cropped, cleaned up, and levels adjustment by Howcheng, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ConcordGrapes.jpg) ## Appearance The Fox Grape is a vigorous climbing vine with large, deeply lobed green leaves that can turn reddish in fall. It produces small, greenish-yellow flowers and distinctive clusters of round, dark purple grapes often covered in a whitish, powdery 'bloom'. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Vitales - **Family:** Vitaceae - **Genus:** Vitis ## Interesting facts - Some Native American tribes used Fox Grapes for food and medicine. - The 'foxy' smell of these grapes is where they got their name! - These hardy vines can live for decades, producing fruit year after year! - Your favorite grape juice might be made from Fox Grapes! ## Special abilities - **Climbing Tendrils:** Fox Grape has strong, coiling tendrils to climb high into trees and over fences, reaching sunlight. - **Protective Bloom:** Fox Grape's fruit has a thick skin and powdery 'bloom' protecting it from drying out and pests. - **Rapid Spreader:** Fox Grape can grow very quickly and produce many seeds, helping it spread and colonize new areas. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 300-1500 cm - **Spread:** 100-500 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.2-0.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to early summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Fruit provides energy for migrating and nesting birds. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Grapes are a favored food source for raccoons in late summer. - **Eaten by:** Virginia Opossum (*Didelphis virginiana*) — Opossums enjoy ripe fox grapes as part of their varied diet. - **Eaten by:** [Wood Thrush](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wood-thrush) (*Hylocichla mustelina*) — Wild grapes are a vital autumn food for the Wood Thrush. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Fox Grape? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Fox Grape? 300-1500 cm ### How wide does Fox Grape spread? 100-500 cm ### How big are the flowers on Fox Grape? 0.2-0.5 cm ### When does Fox Grape bloom? Late spring to early summer ### Is Fox Grape edible? Yes ### Is Fox Grape toxic? None ### What is Fox Grape's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Dean College](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dean-college) — Massachusetts, US · Campus - [Indian Hill Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/indian-hill-avenue-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Metro South Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/metro-south-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Crooked Creek Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/crooked-creek-park) — Virginia, US · Park [View all places to see Fox Grape](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/fox-grape) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Fox Grape: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fox-grape)