Vines vigorous, hardy, usually productive, slightly susceptible to attacks of mildew in some localities. Canes long, intermediate in number and size, light to dark brown; nodes enlarged, frequently strongly flattened; internodes medium to below in length; diaphragm of average thickness; pith intermediate in size; shoots pubescent; tendrils continuous, sometimes intermittent, of medium length, bifid to trifid.
Leaf-buds intermediate in size, length and width, conical to nearly obtuse. Leaves of average size and thickness; upper surface light green, dull and smooth; lower surface pale green, pubescent; lobes three to five with terminal lobe acute to obtuse; petiolar sinus deep to medium, very narrow, frequently closed and overlapping; basal sinus shallow, narrow; lateral sinus deep to medium, not wide; teeth medium to very deep, rather wide; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens late, keeps fairly well. Clusters very large to above medium, long, broad, tapering, frequently with a loose single shoulder, two to three bunches per shoot, compact; peduncle medium to long, intermediate in thickness; pedicel nearly long, medium to slender, covered with numerous small warts, enlarged at point of attachment to fruit; brush very short, wine-colored. Berries large to medium, oval to roundish, black, glossy, covered with abundant blue bloom, very persistent, intermediate in firmness. Skin thin, tough, adheres strongly to the pulp, contains a moderate amount of bright colored red pigment, without astringency. Flesh dark green, very juicy, fine-grained, slightly tough, sprightly, low in quality for table use. Seeds separate somewhat easily from the pulp, one to three in number, medium to below in size, of average length and breadth, with neck sometimes slightly swollen, brownish; raphe usually distinct; chalaza small, above center, oval to circular, not obscure.
OZARK.
(Aestivalis, Labrusca.)
1. Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1889:374. 2. Ib., 1890:156. 3. Ib., 1891:128. 4. Ib., 1892:267. 5. Bush. Cat., 1894:167. 6. Va. Sta. Bul., 94:135. 1898. 7. Mo. Sta. Bul., 46:40, 43, 44, 45, 52. 1899. 8. Mich. Sta. Bul., 169:174. 1899. 9. Ky. Sta. Bul., 92:95. 1901. fig. 10. Ga. Sta. Bul., 53:47. 1901. 11. Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1905:213.
Ozark belongs to the South and to Missouri, and the Ozarks in particular, and cannot be ripened in the average New York season. Its merits and demerits have been threshed out by the Missouri grape-growers with the result that its culture is somewhat increasing. It is a wine and not a table grape, of low quality, partly, perhaps, from overbearing which it habitually does unless the fruit is thinned. It is healthy and a very strong grower; but is self-sterile, which is against it as a market sort. In spite of self-sterility and low quality, however, it is a promising sort for the country south of Pennsylvania.
Ozark was originated by Dr. J. Stayman of Leavenworth, Kansas, from seed which he states was from an unknown source. The variety was introduced by Stayman & Black about 1890. The variety apparently is of Aestivalis descent with a slight admixture of Labrusca. There was another Ozark[207] raised by Frederick Muench of Marthasville, Warren County, Missouri, in 1851. It has probably long been obsolete.
Vine vigorous to very vigorous, usually hardy, medium to very productive. Canes rather long, often somewhat thick, intermediate in number, covered with thin blue bloom, surface slightly roughened; tendrils intermittent, usually bifid. Leaves unusually healthy and attractive, dense, medium to large, light green; lower surface pale green, thinly pubescent and cobwebby. Flowers sterile or nearly so, open late; stamens reflexed. Fruit ripens late, keeps well. Clusters medium to large, long to medium, usually with a long and loose single shoulder, very compact. Berries variable in size, dull black, covered with abundant blue bloom, persistent. Skin variable in thickness, tough, contains a large amount of wine-colored pigment. Flesh not very juicy, tender when fully ripe, mild, fair in quality. Seeds separate somewhat easily from the pulp, medium to small, not notched; raphe shows as a distinct cord-like ridge; chalaza plainly above center, very distinct.