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Tennessee Invasive Plant CouncilTennessee Invasive Plant Council
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Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata (Maxim.) Momiy.

Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (Maxim.) Trautv, Ampelopsis heterophylla (Thunb.) Siebold & Zucc., Amur peppervine, Creeper, Porcelain berry, Wild grape
Threat Level Category
Emerging Vine
Similar Species
May be confused with the following native and/or non-native species.
Landscape Alternatives lists native horticultural substitutes
Ampelopsis cordata
Vitis spp.
Native Landscape Alternatives

Description

Height

A woody deciduous vine that has the ability to climb over 20ft. (6.1m).

Leaves

Leaves are alternate, simple, and heart-shaped with coarse teeth along the edge. The leaves may be deeply dissected varying to slightly lobed.

Twigs

Twigs and main stem are branched tendril-bearing woody vines with lenticels throughout. The pith is white and continuous across the nodes.

Bark

The bark is ridged and furrowed.

Flowers

Inconspicuous flowers grow in small clusters of branches cymes, green to white in color, and observed typically in mid-summer (June-August). The inflorescence of this vine grows upward in an umbrella shape. The inflorescence of native grapes is a panicle that droops below the vine.

Fruit

Fruit are small berries with color ranging from yellow to blue, rose and purple, appearing September to October. Unlike native fruits which hang down, these fruits are held upward.

Images

Image: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
More images of Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata

Life History

Habitat

In the Grape Family (Vitaceae), this woody vine can be found on stream banks, pond margins, along forest edges and many other disturbed areas. It prefers rich, moist soils and can grow readily in a wide range of light availability. Forming thick mats this vine covers and shades out native shrubs and young trees. Mammals and birds eat the fruits and can spread the seeds rapidly.

Origin and Distribution

This grape vine is native to Japan and northern China. It was brought to the United States in 1870 as a landscaping and ornamental plant.

Management Recommendations

Mechanical Controls

Cutting: Cutting will only work in the event of repeated pruning due to the vigorous root system. If cutting at the base, the plant may be covered with newspaper/cardboard and then covered with heavy mulch.
Hand Pull: Hand pulling may work for smaller invasions of this vine if the rootstock is removed as well.

Herbicidal Controls

Foliar Spray: Foliar spraying can be utilized to kill this vine. Apply a 2% solution of glyphosate and water plus a 0.5% non-ionic surfactant to thoroughly wet all leaves. Use a low pressure and coarse spray pattern to reduce spray drift damage to non-target species. Glyphosate is a non-selective systemic herbicide that may kill non-target partially-sprayed plants.
Cut Stump Method: Cut stump treatment can be utilized to kill this vine. This appears to be the most effective way to remove an invasion and retain most of the surround vegetation. Horizontally cut stems at or near ground level. Immediately apply a 50% solution of glyphosate and water to the cut stump making sure to cover the outer 20% of the stump.

References


Crook, J. (July 27, 2016) Keep a Lookout for Porcelain-Berry.

Dingwell, S. (August 12, 2014) Unwanted and Unloved: Porcelain-Berry!.

EDD Maps (2018) Porcelain-Berry Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata (Maxim.) Momiy.

Swearingen, J., C. Bargeron. 2016 Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.

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