Vitis rotundifolia
muscadine
Overview
Vitis rotundifolia is a vigorous woody deciduous vine climbing 60-100 feet (18-30 m) into trees by means of unbranched tendrils, with stems reaching several inches thick at the base. Unlike most grapes, the bark is tight and does not peel, and the tendrils are simple rather than forked. Leaves are rounded to heart-shaped, 2-5 inches (5-12 cm) wide, with coarse, blunt teeth and a glossy upper surface. Small greenish flowers open in late spring in short clusters. The fruit is a thick-skinned berry 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) across, ripening one at a time from bronze to dark purple from August through October, with each fruit dropping when ripe rather than holding in a bunch. Vines are usually dioecious, so a pollen-bearing vine is needed near fruiting plants for a crop. The fruit has a musky flavor and tough skin. Growth is rapid once established, and unmanaged vines climb high into the canopy and shade their supports. The species tolerates heat, humidity, and disease better than common bunch grapes.
Native Range
Native to the southeastern United States, from Delaware and Florida west to Texas and Oklahoma. Grows in moist woodlands, stream banks, sandy bottomlands, and forest edges, climbing into trees, mostly below 1,500 feet (450 m).Suggested Uses
Grown on arbors, fences, and trellises for fresh fruit, juice, jam, and wine, spaced 10-20 feet (3-6 m) apart. The fruit is eaten fresh or processed, and the vines also give summer shade on strong overhead structures. Heavy, woody growth calls for a sturdy permanent support.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height60' - 100'
Width/Spread10' - 20'
Bloom Information
Flowers in late spring, May to June, with small greenish flowers in short clusters. Most vines bear either male or female flowers, so both are needed nearby for fruit set. The musky berries ripen from August through October.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun on moist, well-drained, sandy or loamy soils and tolerates the heat and humidity of the southeastern United States. It needs a sturdy support or trellis, since mature vines are heavy and woody. Female and self-fertile vines set a heavier crop when a pollen-bearing vine grows nearby. It resists Pierce disease and the fungal problems that affect bunch grapes in humid climates. Vines are pruned hard each winter to keep fruiting wood within reach. Growth is rapid, and unpruned vines climb high and fruit out of reach.Pruning
Pruned hard in late winter while dormant, cutting the previous year canes back to short spurs on a permanent framework. Muscadines bleed sap if pruned after growth starts, so dormant timing is used. Without yearly pruning, fruiting wood moves out of reach and yields drop.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter