Fox Grape

Vitis labrusca

Native to:
United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Vitaceae
Genus:
Vitis
Species:
Vitis labrusca
USDA Symbol:
VILA8

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Vine
Height:
1800 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
may,jun
Bloom Colors:
green
Food Forest:
Contains edible parts

Wildlife Benefits

Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidoides), Grape root borer (Vitacea polistiformis), Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), Virginia creeper sphinx (Darapsa myron), Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Moths:Antispila isabella, Eight-spotted Forester (Alypia octomaculata), Grapeleaf skeletonizer (Harrisina americana), grapevine leafminer (Phyllocnistis vitegenella), Heliozela aesella, Phyllocnistis vitifoliella, Virginia creeper sphinx (Darapsa myron)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, mammals, butterflies
Fragrant:
Yes
Fall Color:
yellow
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from the root crown following fire. Often increases in abundance after disturbance.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
fertile, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Prefers soils rich in organic matter

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Seeds require cold stratification. Germination can be erratic and may benefit from scarification to improve rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Single-step cold-moist stratification for temperate woodland species. for 60–120 days

Source: Claude AI