At the northern end of Roanoke Island, you can find the Mother Vine covering over half an acre of land. It's over 400 years old and is renowned for producing North Carolina’s state fruit - the scuppernong grape.

Every state has a state fruit, but few have such historical depth as the scuppernong. While it's known as the state fruit of North Carolina, it can be found far and wide.

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Even Harper Lee was known to write about this fruit.

So, what is the scuppernong, and what makes it so special? Keep reading through this guide to find out.

What are scuppernongs?

Scuppernongs are large, juicy grapes that can vary in color. They're typically:

  • Green
    • Green-gold
      • Burnished bronze

        The scientific name for this grape is Vitis rotundifolia, and it is a variety of muscadine grapes.

        It's worth noting that other types of golden-hued muscadines are often called scuppernongs, though they're not always the same variety. According to Dr. Arlie Powell (a fruit scientist): "All scuppernongs are muscadines, but not all muscadines are scuppernongs. A 'scuppernong' is a specific selection of muscadine."

        True scuppernongs can stand out due to the plant looking somewhat "alien." The skin is particularly thick, and below that, the pulp is relatively clear and juicy. They contain large, bitter seeds. It's uncommon to see seedless scuppernongs.

        Where so scuppernongs come from?

        Scuppernong grapes grow primarily in North Carolina. The name is derived from the Scuppernong River which is found just off Albemarle Sound running through Tyrell and Washington counties.

        This is the first place the grapes were found growing in the wild. People began cultivating them there at some point in the 18th century.

        However, the history of these muscadine grapes can be traced back even further. Native Americans originally called this fruit "askuponong", coming from the Algonquin word "ascopa". Askupong means "place of the askupo," which is the sweet bay tree (Magnolia virginiana).

        There are vineyards and wineries all over the country, but very few species of grapes are actually indigenous to North America, with the muscadine being among them. While there are now other plants, all scuppernong grapes are related to the Mother Vine where the first bronze muscadines grew.

        This is where North Carolina fruit cultivation began, and it's believed that the Mother Vine is the oldest cultivated grapevine in the US. Croatoans were likely the first to harvest these grapes, and this continued with early North Carolina settlers.

        During the early 1800s, scuppernong grapes started to become increasingly popular outside of North Carolina. Thomas Jefferson was known to be quite fond of them. He even ordered a 30-gallon barrel of pure Scuppernong juice in June 1823.

        By the 1840s, the entire country had started to recognize North Carolina for its wine production. Halifax vintner Paul Garret won accolades both within the US and overseas for his scuppernong wines and "Special Champagne" at the turn of the 20th century. His "Virginia Dare" was one of the most popular wines in the country at one point.

        Different uses of scuppernong grapes

        Different fruits have a wide range of uses, but if there's one thing that grapes are known for, it's wine. In many areas, scuppernong wine is more famous than the Mother Vine itself.

        Scuppernong grapes ripen later in the summer and are typically picked during August and September. Scuppernong wine production is now common throughout the South due to its popularity.

        Scuppernong grapes are particularly sweet and juicy. The skins are tougher than most other grapes and are also quite sour, but they're still edible. The wine that Scuppernong vineyards produce typically has a wild, musky flavor.

        While this is one of the most common uses of scuppernongs, there are other applications; jams, jellies and preserves are quite popular.

        Selection as the North Carolina state fruit

        While it has a long history in North Carolina, that didn't automatically make the scuppernong the state fruit. A long selection process began in February 2001 when the idea of the strawberry becoming the official state fruit was put forward by a class of students at Tommy's Road Elementary School in Wayne.

        While this proposal was sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Russell and had backing from the North Carolina House of Representatives, it wasn't quite enough. In September of the same year, students from Manteo Elementary School in Dare County proposed the Scuppernong grape as the state fruit instead, along with backing from Sen. Fountain Odom of Mecklenburg.

        The next month, the state proposed a compromise with the scuppernong becoming the state fruit and the strawberry and blueberry becoming the state berries. Students later rejected this, but after much debate between the House and the Senate, this compromise prevailed. On Dec. 16, Gov. Mike Easley signed the bill into law.

        Grow your own scuppernong grapes

        Growing your own Scuppernong vines might sound unrealistic, but plenty of people do it. Muscadines thrive in mild climates and can be found in various areas such as:

        • Florida
          • Texas
            • Delaware

              You can find nurseries and vineyards online that sell and ship Scuppernong vines which you can plant. The best time of year for this is around late fall and winter.

              They can grow well in different soil types with varying pH ranges, but good drainage is essential. They also need plenty of direct sunlight. Four hours can be enough as a minimum, but six hours or more is generally a lot better.

              If growing goes well, you could consider making your own jams, jellies or even wine.

              Scuppernong grapes aren't the only noteworthy grapes around. Take a look at this guide for some other grape varieties that are worth knowing.

              Other symbols of North Carolina

              State bird: Northern Cardinal is vibrant voice of North Carolina

               The flowering dogwood: North Carolina's symbol of resilience and beauty