Riverbank Grape

Vitis riparia

Native to:
Canada, Mexico, United States

📍 View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Vitaceae
Genus:
Vitis
Species:
Vitis riparia
USDA Symbol:
VIRI

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Vine
Height:
2500 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul
Bloom Colors:
green
Food Forest:
Contains edible parts

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
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

grapevine leafminer (Phyllocnistis vitegenella)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Moths:Eight-spotted Forester (Alypia octomaculata), Grapeleaf skeletonizer (Harrisina americana), grapevine leafminer (Aspilanta oinophylla), grapevine leafminer (Phyllocnistis vitegenella), Heliozela aesella, Lettered Sphinx (Deidamia inscriptum), Phyllocnistis vitifoliella

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, mammals, bees, 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:
moist, fertile, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Thrives near riverbanks and floodplains

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Seeds require cold stratification; germination can be erratic. Light is not required for germination.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.

Source: Claude AI