Porcelainberry

Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (syn: glandulosa)

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Common look-alikes:

Identification

Appearance

Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata has become a serious invader of the eastern United States and closely resembles native species of grape. It is a deciduous, woody vine that climbs to heights of more than 20 feet. These branched tendril-bearing, woody vines (native grapes have unbranched tendrils) have lenticels and white piths that are continuous across the nodes. Bark is ridged and furrowed, whereas native grape bark is shredded.

Foliage

The alternate leaves are simple and heart-shaped with coarse teeth along the margins. The leaves vary from slightly lobed to deeply dissected.

Flowers

Flowering occurs in mid-summer, when greenish to white, inconspicuous flowers develop in small clusters.

Fruit

Fruits are small berries that range from yellow to purple to blue in color.

Biology

This is considered a watch list species.

Origin

Porceleinberry is native to Japan and northern China and was first introduced into the United States in 1870 as an ornamental and landscaping plant.

Habitat

Widely planted as an ornamental, this fast-growing liana (a woody, climbing or trailing plant that does not support its weight) is now considered highly invasive in the forest edges, lake shores, and disturbed habitats in which it rapidly spreads.

Threat

Thick mats of vegetation formed by porcelain-berry can easily shade out native trees and shrubs. It is able to spread quickly over long distances via bird and animal dispersed seeds.

Lifecycle

Porcelain-berry spreads by seed and through vegetative means. The colorful fruits, each with two to four seeds, attract birds and other small animals that eat the berries and disperse the seeds in their droppings. The seeds of porcelain-berry germinate readily to start new infestations. Porcelain-berry is often found growing in riparian areas downstream from established patches, suggesting they may be dispersed by water also. The taproot of porcelain-berry is large and vigorous. Resprouting will occur in response to cutting of above-ground portions.

Management Options

mechanical

Hand pulling of vines in the fall or spring will prevent flower buds from forming the following season. Where feasible, plants should be pulled up by hand before fruiting to prevent the production and dispersal of seeds. If the plants are pulled while in fruit, the fruits should be bagged and disposed of in a landfill. For vines too large to pull out, cut them near the ground and either treat cut stems with systemic herbicide or repeat cutting of regrowth as needed.

Chemical

Chemical control in combination with manual and mechanical methods is effective and likely to be necessary for large infestations. The systemic herbicides triclopyr (e.g., Garlon® 3A and Garlon 4) and glyphosate (e.g., Roundup® and Rodeo®) have been used successfully by many practitioners.

Be careful not to damage or kill nearby native plants when conducting management work.
Always read and follow pesticide label directions. Application of pesticides may require a certification from the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. The Agency website provides information on what applicator certification is needed.

Foliar application

The most effective control has been achieved using triclopyr formulations. From summer to fall, apply a water-based solution of 2.5% Garlon 3A (triclopyr amine) to foliage or cut plants first, allow time for regrowth and then apply the mixture. Smaller infestations can be controlled to some extent with spot applications of glyphosate to leaves, used sparingly to avoid contact of desirable plants with spray. Cut the vines back during the summer and allow to resprout before applying herbicide, or apply glyphosate to leaves in early autumn, just prior to senescence.

Basal bark application

Apply a mixture of 20-30% Garlon® 4 (triclopyr ester) mixed with commercially available basal oil, horticultural oil, diesel fuel, No. 1 or No. 2 fuel oil, or kerosene, to 2 - 3 ft. long sections of stem near the base of the vines.