A grape differing from our common V. arizonica Engelm. by having nodal diaphragms less than 1 mm wide (rather that > 1 mm wide) and with growing tips enveloped by enlarging and unfolding leaves (rather than not being enveloped). It is much more similar to V. acerifolia Raf., which has pubescence on the growing tips and branchlets of the season. V. acerifolia also has smaller inflorescences, less than 8 cm long.