This cache is found on a small island that has many Riverbank
Grapes. The island may be difficult to reach without a boat or
getting wet in the summer. The terrain rating is solely based on
the requirement of a boat in the summer. In the winter you can walk
across the ice but be careful since the current is fast and the ice
can be thin. I often come here to practice my whitewater paddling
during the spring and the summer. The Winnipeg river
skating/walking trail passes very near this cache - so skate or
walk! and enjoy the weather.
The wild grape in Manitoba, commonly known as the Riverbank or
the Frost Grape, is very common along the Red and Assiniboine
rivers along with their tributaries throughout Winnipeg. This grape
is found from Manitoba to Quebec in Canada, throughout the mid-west
and eastern United States, and is found as far south as Louisiana.
The leaves of this climbing vine have 3 to 5 large lobes, coarsely
toothed margins, and a heart-shaped base. The leaves can grow to be
quite large - up to 25cm long and 20cm wide under good conditions.
The long lived vine, which can be several centimeters around,
clings to other vegetation by means of strong tendrils along the
stem. It flowers in May or early June with small inconspicuous
flowers that attract many bees. This species is dioecious (both
male and female plants) so if you only find one plant you may not
find any berries. The dark purple berries ripen early in the
fall.
The berries are quite sour but improved with exposure to frost
and are best if left until fully ripe. The berries are also a
favorite food of birds so they might be eaten if left too long. I
have made wonderful jelly and syrup from the grapes. If you are
making jelly expect to add some pectin or use some unripe berries.
I am told making wine from wild grapes in Manitoba is not usually
successful since they are low in sugar and the flavor is not
conducive to good wine.
The leaves make a very nice cooked wrap filled with meat and
rice. The leaves have pleasant acid flavor, slightly sour, that
goes well with many Middle Eastern dishes.
Be careful not to confuse the berries and leaves with the other
common vines found in similar environments - moonseed and Virginia
creeper. Both of these plants are either poisonous are unpleasant
to eat. Moonseed does not have toothed leaves and the grape-like
berries contain a single seed that is crescent or half-moon shaped.
Virginia creeper has pinnate leaves.
Further information on wild grapes can be found at:
Information
about Riverbank Grape on Wikipedia
PLANTS
Profile for Vitis riparia (riverbank grape) | USDA PLANTS