Porcelain Berry
Porcelain Berry
What do we know?
Porcelain berry, Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata, is an aggressive weed in the Vitacea (grape) family of the eastern United States. This plant is a deciduous, woody, climbing vine or erect shrub native to Northeast Asia—China, Korea and Japan. It was originally cultivated around the 1870s in the US as a bedding and landscaping plant. It became popular for its tolerance of adverse conditions and its ability to provide ground cover.
However this vigorous invader of open and wooded habitats invades streambanks, pond margins, forest edges, and other disturbed areas. The thick mat formed by this climbing vine can cover the shade of native shrubs and young trees. It spreads very quickly, growing 25 ft long in a single growing season.
Porcelain berries spread both vegetatively and by animals. Birds and small mammals eat the fruit and disperse the seeds through their droppings. The seeds sprout readily and may be viable in the soil for several years. This plant also reproduces asexually by re-sprouting from its roots.
Identifying factors
Porcelain berry gets its name from its shiny, speckled berries that resemble porcelain. The berries can be many colors, including pale blue, lilac, reddish-purple, pink, cream, violet and bright turquoise. Another identifying factor is the plant's small greenish-yellow flowers and leaves, which can be heart-shaped, deeply lobed, or with toothed edges and a shiny underside.
Control
Controlling porcelain berries can be done in a variety of methods. As with most invasive plants, the best time to control the spread is during early detection. Repeat treatments will likely be necessary after an initial removal because of the seeds remaining viable in the soil or because of the unseen root fragments from which new growth will occur. Hand-pulling vines in the fall or early spring will prevent flower buds from producing the following season. If the plant is already producing fruit, ensure that all fruit is collected when the stems are being removed to prevent seed dispersal. Chemical treatment may be necessary to supplement the manual method when the infestation is large. Cut the large vines during the summer and allow re-sprouting before treating them with glyphosate.
Porcelain berries have recently been assessed by the Delaware Invasive Species Council and confirmed to be invasive. For more information, please visit:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/invasives-your-woodland-porcelain-berry/
Quick Facts
Grows quickly, up to 25ft in a single growing season
Berries are brightly colored, resembling small porcelain balls
Grows well in a wide variety of soil types, preferring full to partial sun
Resembles native grape vines
Leaves alternate with 3-5 palmate lobes
UD Cooperative Extension
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, Cooperative Extension is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.