This is a largely northeastern species but itd southern and western extents remain uncertain due to confusion with other taxa. V. labrusca is a parent of the Concord grape and other cultivated hybrids with the European V. vinifera L., which have been known as V. X labruscana L.H. Bailey. That hybrid taxon may be distinguished by the larger size (and broad deep sinus) of its leaves, which are generally tomentose but less rusty; further development of key characters is needed. [Further south, there can also be confusion with V. shuttleworthii House and V. mustangensis Buckl.]. True labrusca does seem to be locally native in Ky. (as mapped here with solid dots), especially on damp acid soils in eastern or northern regions; B stated "wet soil, meadows and wet barrens". But some colls. need closer examination for distinction from aestivalis (perhaps its closest relative), X labruscana or cinerea. V. labrusca differs from other species of Vitis (sensu stricto) as follows: leaves with permanently dense, usually somewhat rusty pubescence on lower surface (versus mostly glabrate to glabrous); stems with more frequent tendrils or inflorescences, at 3-7 successive nodes (versus usually 1-2); and fruits larger, 12-20 mm across (versus 5-12 mm). Also, it tends to flower relatively early, in mid-May-Jun (versus late May to Jul in aestivalis and Jun-Jul in cinerea). Young stems are terete to slightly angled. Fruits of labrusca and X labruscana are relatively large and aromatic, somewhat resembling Muscadinia (Lin et al. 2019).