General: Canyon Grape (Vitis arizonica) is a woody vine that often grows densely on shrubs and trees in canyons with permanent water (at least subsurface water). The leaves are heart shaped and 3-6 inches long; and true to the name, the vine produces grapes during summer.

Canyon Grape is an uncommon component of vegetation communities on wet or damp, well-drained sandy, gravelly, and rocky soils along streams and canyons into the lower mountains in the Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub) life zone.

Around Las Vegas, Canyon Grape can be most easily seen at Willow Springs in Red Rock Canyon NCA and at Grapevine Canyon in Lake Mead NRA.

Family: Grape (Vitaceae).

Other Names: Wild Grape, Arizona Grape.

Plant Form: Woody vine with broad leaves. The plants are dioecious (that is, pollen (male) and fruit bearing (female) flowers on separate plants).

Height: The plant itself has little height, but it can grow to cover entire trees.

Bark: Reddish brown; peeling with age.

Stems: Woody vine with tendrils.

Leaves: Heart shaped, usually coarsely toothed, dark green, to 6-inches long and 5-inches wide.

Flowers: Blooms: spring to summer. Inflorescence: panicle (cluster of grapes). Flowers small, greenish white. Male and female flowers on separate plants.

Seeds: Fruit: clusters of grapes. Grapes to 3/4-inch diameter, juicy, purple-black. Seeds: 1-4 per grape. Grapes flavors range from tasty to bitter.

Habitat: Wet or damp, well-drained sandy, gravelly, and rocky soils along streams and canyons into the lower mountains.

Elevation: 2,000 to 7,500 feet.

Distribution: Southern Nevada, southern Utah, and Arizona.

Comments: This is an important source of food for birds and other wildlife.

Grapes are pollinated by butterflies and bees. During the monsoon season, Arizona Grapes (like their commercial cousins) can become infested by Grape Leaf Skelotonizer Moths (Harrisina sp.), the caterpillars of which eat the leaves and leave the veins. Older caterpillars are yellow with black and blue bands, plus stinging hairs.