September 12 - September 18
Discover nature this week in the sweet and sour tastes of wild grapes.
Missouri’s wild grapes are smaller than cultivated varieties, though they pack a lot of punch and concentrated flavor, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Our state has seven species of native wild grapes that are found across the state and will bear fruit in bunches starting in late summer.
Wild grapes are highly edible, though some speices, especially riverbank grape, are more sour than others. Wild grapes become sweeter as the season grows longer, according to the Conservation Department, and can be collected from September to November.
Archeological records show people have taken advantage of wild grapes long before they were ever cultivated. Grapes are actually berries and are commonly known to be perfect for making jams, jellies, pies, juice and of course, wine. The leaves are also edible, though, and Native Americans found medicinal uses for most parts of wild grape plants. Leaves and berries alike were used for dyes, and the vines were used for weaving or making rope.
Wild are found in woods, thickets, along stream banks and fence rows. The plant’s tendrils enable it to grow up tree trunks and fences, and sometimes overload trees. Because of this, wildlife managers will often cut a tree to open up the understory, but leave the grape vine intact. The grape plant will quickly cover the downed tree and nearby brush piles, which offers cover and a ground food-source to quail and other animals, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
If you go searching for wild grapes, be careful not to mistake Moonseed for a grape plant. Moonseed has similar leaves to a wild grape, but is thought to be poisonous. You can tell if it’s Moonseed by the fruit’s single seed in the shape of a crescent moon.
For more information about Missouri’s wild grapes or other wild edibles, go online to MissouriConservation.org.
