Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.154710
Element CodePDVIT040J0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderRhamnales
FamilyVitaceae
GenusVitis
Other Common Namessand grape (EN) Sand Grape (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic CommentsVitis rupestris is a distinctive upright grape, not vining, yet easily confused with unusual individuals of some other species. It occasionally hybridizes with other co-occurring species of native grapes (as in the Potomac River Gorge).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2023-10-27
Change Date2001-02-26
Edition Date2020-03-05
Edition AuthorsK. Crowley, MRO (1995), rev. D. Walton (W.Va.HP, 1996), L. Morse (1998, 2000, 2001), rev. Treher and Nan McCarry (2020), rev. Frances and Eberly (2023)
Threat ImpactHigh
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank ReasonsVitis rupestris is a shrubby perennial grape that occurs sporadically across a fairly broad range in the eastern United State where it is restricted to river scour and stream banks with some affinity to calcareous regions. The species is primarily threatened the alteration of natural flood regimes that maintain a favorable successional state for the species. It is especially vulnerable due to intrinsic vulnerabilities (low rate of seed production) and slow vegetative spread as a clonal species, and low genetic diversity within populations, with few genotypes represented even in large stands. Colonization of new sites is rare due to these limitations and the specific habitat requirements. Vitis rupestris is particularly important to the cultivated grapevine (V. vinifera) because it is one of three North American species that reestablished the European wine industry in the late 1800s, when many vineyards were decimated by the introduced phylloxera pest. Vitis rupestris is still used as rootstock in grape production worldwide for its resistance to phylloxera, downy mildew, and other fungal diseases affecting the wine and grape industries. Interestingly, this species has escaped and naturalized in both Europe and California, despite its rarity in the eastern United States.
Range Extent CommentsVitis rupestris occurs in the eastern United States at disjunct locations from Pennsylvania and Maryland west to Missouri, and south to North Carolina, Alabama, and Texas. It has escaped cultivation and naturalized in California and Europe, where it is used as rootstock for cultivated grapes (Arrigo and Arnold 2007). Reports from Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Ohio are based on old literature reports not maintained in more recent floras. The Ohio report appears to be without basis (A. Cusick, pers. comm. 2001). Reports from Illinois are Vitis riparia (B. Charles, pers. comm., 2023).
Occurrences CommentsThere are between 100 and 130 occurrences rangewide. In addition, there are nearly 50 occurrences not seen for over 40 years (iNaturalist 2023, NatureServe 2023, SEINet 2023).
Threat Impact CommentsThe principal threat to Vitis rupestris is a change in the hydrology of its riverbank habitats, away from the natural flooding regime and periodic scouring of the riverbank. Riverbanks and hydrology have been altered by dams, roads, powerplants, and other forms of development. The species relies on a natural flooding regime and periodic scouring of the riverbank to maintain its habitat but these alterations can increase or diminish flood intensity and frequency to a level that is not favorable by the species. Changes to hydrology may be exacerbated by climate change. This species is also threatened by succession which is also maintained by flooding and scouring. Its habitat may be threatened by recreational use and by pollution or siltation. Deer browse of plants is evident at some sites. Hybridization with other native grapes may be degrading this species' gene pool (S. Grund, pers. comm., 2022).