One of the approximately 30 American species or Wildreben with the full botanical name Vitis riparia Michx. It was first described and cataloged by the French botanist André Michaux André (1746-1802) in the year 1802. Together with the two species Vitis acerifolia and Vitis rupestris, it forms the group Ripariae. Common synonyms include Bermuda Wine, Fragrant Vine, Frost Grape, Riverbank Grape, Uferrebe, Vid Americana, and Videira Americana. Vitis riparia is the most widely distributed wild grape species in North America, primarily found in the southern Kanada, as well as in almost all U.S. states except the southernmost ones.
Characteristics
As a vigorous and high-climbing vine, it thrives very well in cooler areas on moist alluvial soils along forested riverbanks, on river islands, and in gorges, which is why it is also referred to as Uferrebe or River Vine. The advantages include a relatively short Vegetationszyklus, extremely high Frost (down to minus 50°), very good Resistenz against both true and false Mehltau, and (though not to the full extent) also against Reblaus. A disadvantage is its low lime tolerance, which is typical for many American vines.
