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Plants
Black Grape
Type: Deciduous perennial woody vines in the genus Vitis, belonging to the grape family (Vitaceae).
Needles: Does not have needles; bears large, lobed, green leaves with serrated edges.
Lifespan: Productive lifespan in vineyards is typically 25–40 years, though some grapevines can live for more than 100 years.
Habitat: Native to temperate regions; thrive in well-drained soils with full sun exposure; cultivated worldwide in vineyards, especially in Mediterranean and temperate climates.
Uses: Consumed fresh as table grapes, dried as raisins, or processed into juice and wine; black grape skins are rich in antioxidants like resveratrol, linked to cardiovascular health.
Adaptations: Climbing vines use tendrils to anchor onto supports; thick skin on black grapes provides protection against sunlight and fungal infections; deep roots allow access to water during drought.
Ecological Role: Provide food for birds, mammals, and insects; flowers attract pollinators; vines offer shelter and habitat for small animals in wild settings.
Fun Fact: Some of the oldest known grapevines, over 400 years old, still grow in Europe and continue to produce grapes used for winemaking.
Cranberry
Type: Evergreen perennial shrub/vine in the genus Vaccinium, closely related to blueberries.
Needles: Does not have needles; bears small, leathery, oval evergreen leaves.
Lifespan: Individual plants can live for decades, often 60+ years; some cultivated bogs have vines over 100 years old that still produce fruit.
Habitat: Native to cool temperate regions of North America; thrives in acidic bogs, marshes, and wetlands with sandy, nutrient-poor soils.
Uses: Consumed fresh, dried, or juiced; processed into sauces, baked goods, and candies; cranberry juice is valued for supporting urinary tract health.
Adaptations: Evergreen leaves allow year-round photosynthesis; fruits contain air chambers that let them float, aiding dispersal and water harvesting; tolerant of acidic, waterlogged soils.
Ecological Role: Provide food for birds, bears, deer, and small mammals; support pollinators such as bees; stabilize wetland soils and contribute to nutrient cycling in bog ecosystems.
Fun Fact: Cranberries are one of only three widely cultivated fruits native to North America, along with blueberries and Concord grapes.
Crab-Apple
Type: Deciduous tree or shrub in the genus Malus, related to domesticated apples.
Needles: Does not have needles; bears simple, oval, toothed green leaves that turn yellow, red, or purple in autumn.
Lifespan: Typically live 30–70 years, though some species and cultivated varieties can survive over 100 years.
Habitat: Native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America; grow in woodlands, hedgerows, and open fields; adaptable to a variety of soils with good sunlight.
Uses: Fruits are often too tart to eat raw but are used for jellies, ciders, preserves, and ornamental plantings; valued in landscaping for spring blossoms and colorful autumn fruit.
Adaptations: Hardy and tolerant of poor soils, cold climates, and drought; small fruits are high in pectin, aiding in preservation; bright blossoms attract pollinators.
Ecological Role: Provide food for birds, deer, and small mammals; serve as a nectar source for pollinators; offer shelter and nesting sites for wildlife.
Fun Fact: The crab apple is considered the wild ancestor of the domesticated apple (Malus domestica), and many cultivars are still used today as rootstocks for grafting orchard apples.
Strawberry
Type: Herbaceous perennial plant in the genus Fragaria, part of the rose family (Rosaceae).
Needles: Does not have needles; features compound leaves with three serrated leaflets on long petioles.
Lifespan: Individual plants typically live 3–5 years, though they spread rapidly by runners (stolons) and can persist much longer in favorable conditions.
Habitat: Native to temperate regions of North and South America; thrive in sunny areas with well-drained, slightly acidic soils; widely cultivated worldwide.
Uses: Consumed fresh, dried, or processed into jams, jellies, desserts, smoothies, and candies; rich in vitamin C and antioxidants; used in perfumes and flavorings.
Adaptations: Spreads quickly via runners to colonize open ground; produces bright red, sweet fruits to attract animals for seed dispersal; leaves and roots tolerate a range of soils and climates.
Ecological Role: Provide food for birds, mammals, and insects; flowers support pollinators such as bees; act as a groundcover that helps reduce soil erosion.
Fun Fact: Despite their name, strawberries are not true berries botanically—the fleshy part is an enlarged receptacle, and the tiny “seeds” on the outside are the actual fruits.