wild grape

Grape Vitis spp.
Family: Vitaceae (Grape)
Branching: Alternate, but tendrils are often opposite of buds

There are several species of Wild Grape, and together they make up the largest portion of tall woody vines. In Southern Ontario, Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia) is probably the most common. Most look quite similar in size and form, though the leave shape and branching of tendrils are usually used to differentiate species. They are usually found in damp woods and sometimes grow quite high, often enveloping the canopy of tall trees. The stems of mature grapes stand out as their bark becomes very shreddy.

Winter twig of a wild Grape, showing the tendril opposite of a bud

Lateral bud

Another view of a lateral bud

Older bark becomes shreddy