California Wild Grape
A month ago, I reported about California wild grape, Vitis californica, growing near a dry creek in Cameron Park.
Since then, its grapes have withered, though its large, kidney-shaped leaves are now displaying from muted to intensely saturated color.
A climbing vine, this one has scaled Fremont cottonwoods, several stories high.
Dr. Eva Begley, author of Falcon Guides’ Plants of Northern California writes that, “if there’s nothing to climb, it spreads across the ground, where it can provide good erosion control.”
Its grape are now shriveled, though were plump and ripe, sweet to the taste, but seedy, a month ago. More of the red color is likely to develop this month. Look for them in riparian areas and canyons. 
- California Wild Grape, Cameron Park – Near Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
