About Vitis mustangensis Buckley
Vitis mustangensis Buckley is a woody grape species. It produces small clusters of hard green fruit, which ripen between July and September into soft dark purple berries that measure 3⁄4 of an inch (2 cm) across. The berries have a thick outer layer of flesh and contain an average of four heart-shaped seeds. This grape variety can be identified by its lobed, cordate leaves, which have a white, velvet-like underside. The vines of Vitis mustangensis often cover trees, shrubs, fences, and other nearby objects that it grows against. This species is dioecious, meaning only female vines produce fruit. When handled, the fruit can potentially cause skin irritation, and raw fruit has a mildly unpleasant taste due to bitterness and high acidity. It is used in a range of culinary preparations, including jelly, pie filling, wine, and grape juice; all of these uses typically involve heat processing and sweetening with sugar. Mustang grapes have been used to make mustang wine since before the American Civil War. Both the fruit and leaves of mustang grapes can also be used to dye wool.
