Jil Swearingen, NPS
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Porcelainberry
Ampelopsis brevipedunculata
Origin: China, Korea, Japan and Russia
Background
Porcelainberry was originally cultivated as a bedding and
landscape plant. In spite of its aggressiveness in some
areas, it is still widely used and promoted in the
horticultural trade.
Distribution and Ecological Threat
Porcelainberry occurs from New England to North Carolina
and west to Michigan. It grows well in most soils,
especially in pond margins, streambanks, thickets and
waste places, where there is full sunlight to partial
shade, and where it is not permanently wet. This climbing
vine shades out native shrubs and young trees.
Porcelainberry grows and spreads quickly in open areas of
the urban landscape. The seeds of porcelainberry germinate
readily in the soil after natural or human disturbance.
Jil Swearingen, NPS
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Description and Biology
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Plant: a deciduous, woody, perennial vine of the grape
family (Vitaceae); climbs by tendrils that grow
opposite the leaves on the stem; vines grow to heights
of 15 to 20 feet.
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Leaves: simple, heart-shaped, and dark green with
coarsely toothed edges; shiny underneath with delicate
hairs along the veins; vary from slightly lobed to
deeply dissected; arranged alternately along the stem.
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Flowers, fruits and seeds: small, greenish-white
flowers appear in clusters in summer. The berries
appear in the fall, ranging in color from white to
yellow, to shades of green, lilac, purple, turquoise
and sky blue. Each ¼ inch berry carries two to
four seeds.
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Spreads: birds and other small animals eat the berries
and disperse the seeds in their droppings.
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Look-alikes: native grape (Vitis) species and
several native species of Ampelopsis.
Prevention and Control
Mechanical and chemical methods have been used
successfully to control porcelainberry infestations. Hand
pruning in the fall or spring will prevent flower buds
from forming the following season. Vines on trees can be
cut to prevent seed formation and further damage to trees.
Systemic herbicides are also effective.
Native Alternatives
virgin's bower (Clematis
virginiana)
Britt Slattery, USFWS
|
trumpet creeper (Campsis
radicans)
Britt Slattery, USFWS
|
trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera
sempervirens)
Britt Slattery, USFWS
|
trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera
sempervirens)
Britt Slattery, USFWS
|
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