Porcelain Berry
Porcelain berry has distinctive multi-colored fruit. Photo by WNY PRISM.
Additional Images
Common Name: Porcelain Berry
Scientific Name: Ampelopsis brevipedunculata
Origin: Japan and Northern China
Description
Porcelain berry is a perennial, deciduous vine that can grow up to 20 feet long. Leaves are alternate, simple, variably shaped (from heart shaped to deeply lobed) with toothed edges, and shiny undersides with hairs only along the veins. The vine produces small greenish-yellow flowers that develop into hard berries in various shades of white, yellow, lilac, teal or green that mature to a bright blue. The pith is white.
Habitat
Porcelain berry prefers areas of full sun to partial shade and it grows in moist, rich soils found along streambanks and forest edges. It favors disturbance and takes advantage of flood damage or bank erosion.
Threat
Porcelain berry grows quickly and forms thick mats that outcompete native vegetation for light, water, nutrients and space. Once established, it will climb and shade out young shrubs and seedlings on the forest floor. Seeds are distributed by birds, small mammals and water. A high seed germination rate accompanied by its propagation through root fragments makes this vine species of particular concern and difficult to manage.
Management
Herbicide treatment is the most effective control method for porcelain berry and should include either cut-stump or foliar spray treatments in the fall. Vines can also be manually removed to prevent seed dispersal, but care must be taken to pull out the entire root system to prevent resprouting. Follow up treatments in subsequent years is necessary.
Regional Distribution
Early Detection
Porcelain berry has established populations in southwestern Pennsylvania and the Finger Lakes PRISM region.
WNY PRISM Priority
Tier 2 – Eradication
NYS Invasive Species Tiers Chart – Tier Definitions
Pathways
Porcelain berry was brought to the US in the 1870’s as an ornamental landscape plant. Porcelain berry spreads primarily by seed, which can be transported by wildlife, humans or water.
Porcelain berry is a prohibited species in New York State – for more information on Prohibited and Regulated Species, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/99141.html.
Additional Resources:
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Fact Sheet
