"Throughout the centuries, in literature and in art, the grape has been a symbol of revelry and joy, and contributed to many a bacchanalian bash. Our canyon grape is no exception." Thus, Elmore (1976) introduces Vitis arizonica, commonly called Arizona or canyon grape. There's plenty more in the description to delight the plant lover. Canyon grape is a showy plant that enlivens the canyons with its large, brilliant green leaves. Photographed in 2000 along the Big Tubes hike.

Closer view of leaves and newly emerging flowers of Vitis arizonica, commonly called Arizona or canyon grape. Photographed at Oliver Lee State Park on 2 April 2006.

The newly emerging, tight cluster of flowers you see here will eventually lose their "petal-cap" to reveal the stamens (Elmore, 1976). Female and male flowers occur on different plants (Foxx and Hoard, 1984), although Carter (1997) says that the flowers can be either unisexual or bisexual.

Closer view of tendrils of Vitis arizonica, photographed at Oliver Lee State Park on 2 April 2006.

Foxx and Hoard (1984) note early reports that Indian pueblo peoples used the grape either dried or fresh as a food source. Here you see the dark blue-black grapes. Interesting fact: "If carefully arranged, grapes can cause electrical arcing in microwave ovens." (Wikipedia, accessed 7 January 2007.)