How to identify Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia)

How to identify Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia)

Muscadine, also known as Bullace grape, Scuppernong

Muscadine is distinguished by its climbing, spreading habit as a deciduous vine with twining tendrils. Its bark is smooth and ranges from greenish-brown to brown. The vine displays small greenish-yellow white flowers in clusters, blooming in late spring. The large, shiny leaves are broad with blunt serration, facilitating recognition. By early autumn, muscadine bears shiny, spherical berries that shift in hue from purplish-black to bronze as they mature. These berries typically reach sizes up to 1 inch (2.54 cm) in diameter.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Vine

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Muscadine

Climbing deciduous vine with twining tendrils

Large, shiny leaves with blunt serration

Spherical berries up to 1 inch (2.54 cm)

Woody stems ranging from 0.5 to 2 inches (1.2 to 5 cm) in diameter

Bark transitions from greenish-brown to dark brown with vertical grooves

Detailed Traits of Muscadine

Leaf Features

The shiny, rounded leaves of muscadine are arranged alternately along the stem. Each leaf typically has 3 distinct lobes and features a coarsely toothed margin. They exhibit a glossy, dark green appearance and can grow up to 5 inches (12.7 cm) across. The surface texture is smooth, with prominent veins that radiate from the base, contributing to the leaf's rounded shape. These key characteristics make the leaves highly distinguishable.

Leaf Shape

Cordate ,

Reniform

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

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Flower Features

The flowers of muscadine are small, greenish-white, and form in auxiliary panicles. Each flower is typically less than 0.2 inches (5 mm) wide. The petals are delicate and often reflexed. The blooms are mildly fragrant and appear in the summer, specifically from May to June in regions like North Carolina.

Inflorescence Type

Panicle

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Stem Features

Muscadine features a robust, multi-stemmed vine. The stems are typically thick, ranging from 0.5 to 2 inches (1.2 to 5 cm) in diameter. They exhibit a woody texture with a rough bark that tends to peel in older vines. The color of the stems transitions from green in younger sections to a reddish-brown hue as they mature. Branching is frequent, creating a dense network of vines. Tendrils are often present, aiding in the plant's climbing habit.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of muscadine is characterized by spherical berries, each measuring about 1/2 to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 cm) in diameter. These berries boast a robust, thick skin and usually exhibit a dark purple or bronze hue. The glossy texture of the berries adds a visual appeal. These fruits typically ripen and are available from late summer through early fall, specifically from August to October. The fruit's pronounced color and size are key identifiers for novices when observing these during the peak season.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Muscadine and Their Similar Plants

Wine grape vs. Muscadine: What's The Difference?

Wine grape (Vitis vinifera) is a woody, fruit-bearing vine with a very long and vivid history of cultivation for culinary, recreational, and ritualistic purposes - most notably in winemaking. The earliest known evidence of domesticated wine grapes has been identified in Georgia, and carbon dating traces its domestic origins all the way back to 6000 BC. In addition to wine, the fruit of the wine grape is eaten in the form of grapes, raisins, and currants.

Riverbank grape vs. Muscadine: What's The Difference?

The riverbank grape is a woody vine that can grow up to 15 m in length. It uses tendrils to climb trees, shrubs, and fences. Riverbank grape is native to North America and is found extensively throughout Canada, as well as the Northcentral and Northeastern United States.

Frost grape vs. Muscadine: What's The Difference?

Frost grape (Vitis vulpina) is a species of perennial grapevine found throughout the United States and Canada. Frost grape is also called the winter grape, fox grape, and the wild grape. This species is used commercially for making wine.

Summer grape vs. Muscadine: What's The Difference?

Summer grape (Vitis aestivalis) is a fruit bearing species native to the central and eastern United States. The cultivar Norton is considered one of the oldest American grapes in commercial production. However, the summer grape has limited commercial viticulture. This is due to its low acidity and neutral flavor profile.

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Key Facts About Muscadine

Attributes of Muscadine

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Vine

Plant Height

18 m to 30 m

Spread

18 m to 30 m

Leaf Color

Green

Yellow

Gold

Flower Size

2.5 cm

Flower Color

White

Yellow

Green

Fruit Color

Brown

Green

Black

Purple

Copper

Lavender

Leaf type

Deciduous

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Scientific Classification of Muscadine

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia)

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Distribution Map of Muscadine

The muscadine plant is native to the southeastern and south-central United States, parts of Africa. growing in forests and disturbed areas. It was introduced to India. The plant can also be invasive when it escapes cultivation.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Muscadine

A Comprehensive Guide to Muscadine How to Grow and Care for Muscadine