Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Vitis arizonica Engelmann
(Canyon Grape, Arizona Grape)

Family: Vitaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Vitis arizonica Engelmann var. glabra Munson
Vitis treleasii Munson

Vitis arizonica is our common vining wild grape. It has deep purple edible fruit and is found in moist canyons at middle elevation. The stems are woody and the bark on the older stems separates easily. The flowers are found in long dependent dense panicles. The stamens are very exserted and the petals fall away when the flowers open making the stamens look even more prominent. The winter twigs have no obvious terminal bud; the lateral buds have long twisting white hairs on the bud scales. The leaf scars are messy with indistinct vascular bundles.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Vitis arizonica, photo Russ Kleinman & Carol Watson-Brand, Burro Mtns., Blackhawk Canyon, May 17, 2006



Vitis arizonica, in fruit, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Deadman Canyon, Sept. 9, 2007



Vitis arizonica, panicle of flowers, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Little Cherry Creek Ranch Road, May 30, 2009



Vitis arizonica, closeup of winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, FR 536 behind Fort Bayard, February 27, 2010



Vitis arizonica, 4x macro of lateral bud and leaf scar of winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, FR 536 behind Fort Bayard, February 27, 2010


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