High-climbing woody vine with few tendrils. Foliage and young stems nearly glabrous. Leaves acuminate, coarsely and sharply toothed, heart-shaped, to 11 cm (4.3 in) long and 9 cm (3.5 in) wide. Flowers small, white, in loose panicles, appearing in late spring or early summer. Fruits grape-like but with little pulp, blue, ripening in late summer or early fall.
Distribution: Native to southeastern U. S. (west to Nebraska and Texas) and northern Mexico.
Habitat: Roadsides, fencerows, forest margins.
NWI status: FAC-
Comment: The fruits are eaten by several species of birds. The species is often mistaken for a true grape. The genus name Ampelopsis is derived from a Greek word meaning vinelike; cordata refers to the cordate (heart-shaped) leaf.
Distribution in Oklahoma:
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Last update: 9/8/99
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