Muscadine grape plant named ‘USDA-ARS-Bertha Mae’

Abstract

A new and distinct muscadine grape plant, substantially as herein illustrated and described, characterized by mid-late season ripening berries, typically beginning in mid-August in Mississippi and Texas. ‘USDA-ARS-Bertha Mae’ has pistillate flowers and requires self-fertile pollinator cultivars to be grown nearby to achieve adequate pollination and fruit set. ‘USDA-ARS-Bertha Mae’ produces very large (˜14 g) berries having sweet and plum-like flavor, a relatively thin skin, and crisp pulp. Berries separate with high percentage of dry stem scars and are highly resistant to rain-induced physiological splitting.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A new and distinct variety of muscadine grape plant named ‘USDA-ARS-Bertha Mae’ substantially as illustrated and described herein.