Chapters 4.37

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Vitis riparia (USDA) 2-3.jpg

Suggested citation for this chapter.

Phillips,E. (2022) Fleshy Fruits. In The Student Encyclopedia of Canadian Indigenous Foods. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.firstnationsfoods.org/

Introduction

Vitis riparia is a species of wild grape that is native to North America. Its fruit has been consumed for hundreds of years by a variety of Indigenous peoples. The purpose of this paper is to inform the general public of the significance and history of Vitis riparia and instill a deeper respect for the ways Indigenous cultures have been able to live off the land for centuries.

Species Information

Vitis riparia is a wild grape native to North America (“Vitis riparia (Riverbank Grape)”, 2012). It is also known as riverbank or riverside grape (Elias & Dykeman, 1982). For the purposes of this paper, Vitis riparia will be referred to as ‘Riverbank Grape” or “Wild Grape”. Riverbank grape is a woody deciduous vine and is described to have three-lobed coarse-toothed leaves (Kuhnlein & Turner, 1991). It climbs on surrounding plants with the aid of delicate tendrils, and its green flowers grow in pyramidal clusters. Riverbank grape plants can grow up to 17 m tall (Burnham, 2013). The grapes are small (about 10-12mm across) and dark blue, with a waxy coating (Kuhnlein & Turner, 1991). They are described as sour but juicy (Kuhnlein & Turner, 1991).

Figure 1. (Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia). Leaf Closeup (2020). Figure 2. Riverbank Grape, located in Elm Creek Park Preserve, MIN, USA (Whaley, 2019). Figure 3. Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia). Detached Calyptrae Closeup (2020)

Geographic Origins

Riverbank grape most often occurs in moist thickets throughout North America, including Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Texas, Virginia and New Mexico (Burnham, 2013). It is most often found on the shores of rivers in lowland forests (Burnham, 2013).

Figure 4. Distribution Map Of Vitis riparia In North America (Map: Vitis riparia, n.d.)

Associated Indigenous Peoples

Various species of wild grapes have been consumed by Indigenous peoples for over 10 000 years (Kuhnlein & Turner, 1991). Some notable Indigenous peoples who are known to have commonly consumed riverbank grape were, but are not limited to, the Huron, Ojibwa, Iroquois and Malecite (Kuhnlein & Turner, 1991). Many of the peoples not only used Riverbank Grape for consumption; many used them medicinally (for more information of the medicinal applications of riverbank grape, see Exploring the Benefits Of Riverbank Grape, below). The Omaha tribe for example, who lived primarily in the region which is now Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, consumed the grapes fresh, as well as dried into cakes and sometimes made into preserves. The vines were also used, but not for consumption; they were made into cords for animal traps or woven into baskets (Pfeifer, 2021).

Modern Consumption And Uses

Wild grapes are not widely consumed today. While they have cultural value, they are not depended on economically. Today, riverbank grapes are most often eaten by Indigenous peoples at celebrations such as weddings; where dishes such as dumplings are cooked in grape juice from grapes that have been foraged specifically for the event (Pfeifer, 2021).For more information of why riverbank grapes are not as widely consumed as today’s common table grape, see The Consumer Market, below.

Exploring The Benefits Of Riverbank Grape

Because wild grapes are not widely consumed, there is very little knowledge of their exact nutritional value. It is known, however, that both wild and table grapes contain antioxidants, which help prevent cancer and heart disease, and can also be used as a sleep aid and as a treatment for many chronic diseases (Das & Bhattacharjee, 2020).

Due to the similarities between riverbank grapes and common grapes, we can assume that riverbank grape and table grapes have very similar nutritional values. The average serving of the common table grape is a ½ cup (Food Data Central, 2022). Each serving contains 17.3 grams of sucrose, 20.2 grams of carbohydrates, 0.91 grams of protein as well as trace amounts of minerals such as; calcium, iron, magnesium and sodium (Food Data Central, 2022).

Because riverbank grapes are much smaller, it can be inferred that their average serving would be about twice the amount of the common grape (1 cup). The high sugar content in the average grape contributes to its sweetness (Food Data Central, 2022). Riverbank grapes, with their tart flavouring, can be assumed to have much less sugar. Other than the sugar content, riverbank grapes can be assumed to have similar levels of carbohydrates, proteins and trace minerals.

Riverbank Grape And The Environment

Riverbank grape is a food source for many mammals, including bears, foxes, deer, squirrels and raccoons. An abundance of riverbank grape is a great resource for ecosystems, especially as they provide fresh vitamins late in the growing season (“Grapes”, n.d.). As riverbank grapes grow in moist/wet areas (Kuhnlein & Turner, 1991), they require a high amount of water to mature properly. For example, the majority of the contents of the average table grape is water (78.2 grams of water per ½ cup serving) (Food Data Central, 2022). For more information on how a crop’s high-water content may be an issue, see Limitations Of Riverbank Grape below.

The Dangers Of Riverbank Grape

While riverbank grape is edible and can be considered as having beneficial properties when incorporated into the human diet, it bears a strong resemblance to Canadian Moonseed (Menispermum canadense). Canadian moonseed is highly poisonous. (Kuhnlein & Turner, 1991). Every part, from the leaves, to the branches, the flowers, the fruit and even the roots contain a substance known as alkaloid dauricine, a toxic substance that causes convulsions and is often fatal. The best way to differentiate between moonseed and riverbank grape is to look at its seeds. As the name implies, moonseed seeds are crescent shaped while riverbank grape seeds are round and slightly oblong (egg shaped).

Figure 5. Menisperm Canadense And Vitis riparia Seeds (Fewless, 2004).

References

1.Burnham, R. (2013, July 29). Vitis riparia. Climbers. Retrieved November 12, 2022, from https://climbers.lsa.umich.edu/?p=426

2.Das, R., & Bhattacharjee, C. (2020). Nutritional Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Fruits and Vegetables. Academic Press, 695–708. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978012812780300043X

3.Elias, T. S., & Dykeman, P. A. (1982). Edible Wild Plants: North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods [E-Book]. Sterling Publishing Co, Inc. https://books.google.ca/books?id=uBVHr6gYxpQC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ViewAPI&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

4.Fewless, G. (2004). Menisperm Canadense And Vitis riparia Seeds. Herbarium - Cofrin Centre For Biodiversity. photograph, University Of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Retrieved November 11, 2022, from https://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity-old/herbarium/shrubs/mencan01.htm.

5.Food Data Central. Grapes, Red, Seedless, Raw. FoodData Central. 2022 Oct 28 [accessed 2022 Nov 11]. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/2346412/nutrients

6.Kuhnlein, H. V., & Turner, N. J. (1991). Traditional Plant Foods Of Canadian Indigenous Peoples: Nutrition, Botany & Use [PDF]. Gordon & Breach Publishers.

7.Map: Vitis riparia. (n.d.). Retrieved September 29, 2022, from http://www.efloras.org/object_page.aspx?object_id=129763&flora_id=1

8.Pfeifer, N. (2021, October 5). Grafting the Grape: Indigenous Use of Grapes. Discover + Share - Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved September 29, 2022, from https://discoverandshare.org/2021/10/05/grafting-the-grape-indigenous-use-of-grapes/

9.prokhozhy@gmail.com. (2020). Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia). Detached Calyptrae Closeup. depositphotos. photograph. Retrieved November 9, 2022, from https://depositphotos.com/435795320/stock-photo-riverbank-grape-vitis-riparia-detached.html.

10.prokhozhy@gmail.com. (2020). Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia) Leaf Closeup. depositphotos. photograph. Retrieved November 9, 2022, from https://depositphotos.com/435797490/stock-photo-riverbank-grape-vitis-riparia-leaf.html.


11.Texas a&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources - Wildlife Habitat Management. Retrieved September 29, 2022, from http://wildlifehabitat.tamu.edu/plants/vitis.aspx#:%7E:text=Several%20mammals%20that%20consume%20the,and%20stems%20of%20grape%20vines

12.Vitis riparia (Riverbank Grape). (2012, July 2). Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Centre. Retrieved September 29, 2022, from https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=viri