Narrative
Type = Rotundifolia. Per Hedrick (see citation): "The Scuppernong is preeminently the grape of the South. It is the chief representative of the great species Vitis rotundifolia, which runs riot in natural luxurience from Delaware and Maryland to the Gulf, and westward from the Atlantic to Arkansas and Texas. [...] Scuppernong is said to have been found on Roanoke island at the time of the landing of Sir Walter Raleigh's colony. There is a tradition that an old vine now growing on this island is the original vine. [...] Scuppernong vines are to be found on arbors, or half wild, on trees and fences on nearly every farm in the South Atlantic States. As a rule, these vines receive little cultivation, are unpruned, and are given no care of any kind, but even under neglect they produce large and sure crops, are almost immune to mildew, rot, phylloxera, or other fungal or insect pests. The plants give not only and abundance of fruit but on arbors and trellises are much prized for their shade and beauty. [...] The fruit to a palate accustomed to other grapes, is not very acceptable, having a musky flavor and a somewhat repugnant odor, which, however, becomes with familiararity, it is said, quite agreeable. The pulp is sweet and juicy but is lacking in sprightliness. [...] Vine vigorous to rank, not hardy in the North, very productive. Canes long, numerous, slender, vary from ash-gray to grayish-brown; surface smooth, thickly covered with small, light brown dots; pith greenish; tendrils intermittent, simple. Leaves small, thin; upper surface light green, smooth; lower surface very pale green, slightly pubescent along the ribs, otherwise smooth; veins inconspicuous. Flowers open very late; stamens reflexed. Fruit ripens late, even in the South, often ripening unevenly, appears to keep well but berries drop as they mature. Clusters small, roundish, not shouldered, loose. Berries very few per cluster, large, roundish, dull green often with brownish tinge, not persistent, firm. Skin very thick and tough, covered with many small russet dots; no pigment. Flesh pale green, juicy, tender and soft, fine-grained, very foxy, sweet to agreeably tart, fair to good in quality. Seeds slightly adherent to pulp, large, medium to short, often very broad, not notched, quite blunt, plump, surface unusually smooth, brownish; raphe buried in a narrow, shallow groove; chalaza small, nearly central, elongated, rather obscure. Must 88 degrees."