Riverbank Grape
Vitis riparia
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States, Virgin Islands
Joachim Schmid, Fachgebiet Rebenzüchtung und Rebenveredlung Forschungsanstalt Geisenheim, Von-Lade-Str. 1, D-65366 Geisenheim
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Vitaceae
- Genus:
- Vitis
- Species:
- Vitis riparia
- USDA Symbol:
- VIRI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Vine
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- greenish-white
- 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, butterflies
- Fall Color:
- yellow, red
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:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 2-3 months; germination is often slow and erratic.
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
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)