Vitus spp. - Wild Grape

Take a look inside the thicket of Rhus typhina for the vining, native wild grape Vitus spp. These, of which there are many species, are one of the common native woody vines in Maine. Leaves near the base of the vine are quite large. This is very likely Vitus riparia - the Riverbank Grape - but some of the species can be hard to tell apart. Either way, they are a prime source of food for wildlife from bumblebees enjoying their flowers to numerous animals eating their fruit.