# mustang grape (*Vitis mustangensis*) The mustang grape is a wild grape that grows in warm places. Its juicy grapes are often used to make jelly and wine. These grapes can be a fun treat for animals and people alike! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Woodlands and open areas ![mustang grape](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Vitis_mustangensis.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ddal, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vitis_mustangensis.jpg) ## Appearance The mustang grape is a robust woody vine with large, heart-shaped leaves that often have a fuzzy, whitish underside. Its small, greenish flowers develop into clusters of dark purple to black berries, typically covered in a powdery, grayish bloom, giving them a frosted appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Vitales - **Family:** Vitaceae - **Genus:** Vitis ## Interesting facts - Its extra-thick berry skin is why it makes such intense, flavorful jellies! - Some people believe the sap from its vine can be a refreshing, sweet drink! - The fuzzy underside of its leaves helps reflect sunlight, keeping the plant cool! - This tough vine can survive really dry places, even without much water! ## Special abilities - **Climbing Grip:** Mustang grape has strong tendrils that help it grip onto other plants or structures, allowing it to climb high for sunlight. - **Thick Skin Defense:** Mustang grape berries have a thick, leathery skin that helps protect the fruit from pests and retain moisture in dry conditions. - **Drought Buster:** Mustang grape has deep, extensive roots that allow it to access water during droughts and survive in poor soil conditions. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 300-1500 cm - **Spread:** 100-500 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.2-0.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Virginia Opossum (*Didelphis virginiana*) — eats its ripe, dark berries - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — forages on its sweet-tart fruits - **Shelter:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — builds nests within its dense vine growth - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen from its small flowers - **Eaten by:** Wild Turkey (*Meleagris gallopavo*) — forages for fallen berries in late summer ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Fruit Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-tree): A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals. - [Agricultural](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/agricultural): This human use trait describes species cultivated or domesticated by humans for agricultural purposes, including crops and livestock. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [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:** 1/5 · Very low Always ask an adult before trying wild grapes to make sure they're safe to eat. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify mustang 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 mustang grape? 300-1500 cm ### How wide does mustang grape spread? 100-500 cm ### How big are the flowers on mustang grape? 0.2-0.5 cm ### When does mustang grape bloom? Spring ### Is mustang grape edible? Yes ### Is mustang grape toxic? Mild ### What is mustang grape's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Congress Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/congress-avenue-historic-district) — Texas, US · Historic District ## 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: [Mustang Grape: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mustang-grape)