Porcelain-berry (Ampelopsis glandulosa)

plants, terrestrial, tier 4

History & Introduction

Ampelopsis glandulosa (synonym Ampelopsis brevipedunculata), commonly known as porcelain-berry, is a deciduous flowering plant species in the grape family (Vitaceae). It is a woody perennial climbing vine, native to eastern Asia, introduced in the late 19th century to North America as an ornamental plant. It is now found in several U.S. States, is considered invasive throughout 12 states, and is a regulated or prohibited species in many of these although it is still sold in others. Porcelain-berry is a prohibited species in NY and is a widespread Tier 4 species listed for local control within LIISMA. Porcelain-berry is common throughout the metro area, Nassau, and western Suffolk, with sparser populations extending through to the east end.

Identification & Biology

Porcelain-berry is a rapid-growing woody vine that can reach over 20 feet in height. It grows in part to full sun and dry to moist soils, in habitats including forest edges, pond edges, stream banks, thickets, roadside edges, and disturbed sites. Porcelain-berry will not typically thrive in permanently inundated soils, high shade such as dense forest interiors.

Its heart-shaped three to five lobed leaves are coarsely serrated and alternately arranged on the stem. There may be three to five shallow or deep lobes present on leaves. Leaves may resemble those of grapes, but porcelain-berry’s are often much more highly divided than those of grape. While grapevines have long flakey segments of bark on mature stems, porcelain-berry bark lacks this quality and rather has furrowed bark with lenticels. Porcelain-berry may have curly tendrils sparsely distributed on its stem, but usually has far fewer tendrils than does a grapevine. Porcelain-berry can also be distinguished from grapevines by its white pith, or inner stem, while grape has a tan to brown pith. Its inconspicuous white to green flowers bloom in midsummer, followed by its characteristic white, pink, blue, and purple speckled fruits in upright clusters in late summer to early fall. In contrast, flowering and fruiting structures on grapevines hang below the stem rather than above as is the case with porcelain-berry.

Porcelain-berry can spread through seeds dispersed through animal droppings, including birds and small mammals as well as vegetatively through fragments. Seeds will readily germinate after natural or human disturbances. When growing in riparian areas, porcelain-berry fruits may flow downstream and establish new populations. Porcelain-berry also has a large, vigorous taproot, large root crowns, and the ability to reroot to the ground at nodes on the stems.

Damage and Concern

Porcelain-berry commonly invades sunny disturbed habitats in wooded areas such as canopy gaps and forest edges. It creates dense blankets of vine as it climbs on other plants, and may kill plants beneath as it blocks sunlight. Porcelain-berry can engulf mature trees and fully obscure sunlight, as one can observe on many Long Island roadsides. The added weight also renders trees more susceptible to wind and ice damage, and in turn to premature death. Similarly to other invasive vines such as round-leafed bittersweet, porcelain-berry may also wrap around trees, girdling them and blocking nutrient transport as the tree grows. Porcelain-berry threatens both mature trees as well as seedlings that it may blanket in the understory and thus poses a threat to ecosystem health and regeneration in forests that are often experiencing other simultaneous stressors.

Management & Control

Manual/Mechanical Control

To remove porcelain-berry, gently untangle small vines from trees and uproot or dig up small plants. For vines that reach higher up on plants, do not pull the vines, as tangled branches and limbs are at risk of falling and pose a safety hazard. Due to the vigorous taproots and root crowns of porcelain-berry and its ability to reroot and create multiple root crowns per plant, manual removal of roots may pose a challenge.

When digging to remove taproots or root crowns is not possible, clip vines at the base and as high as possible. Clipping at the base should kill all growth above that point, but additionally clipping vertical growth as high as possible minimizes the chance of the plant rerooting to the ground. Cut plants will likely resprout and repeat cuttings are necessary. Also, porcelain-berry seeds may remain viable in the soil for several years so repeat removals of newly germinated plants will likely be necessary to deplete the seed bank.

Before management, check for ripe fruit and take care to remove and securely dispose of any to prevent their accidental spread. Fruits should be bagged and disposed of. After management, dispose of all plant matter in garbage bags as porcelain-berry can spread vegetatively.

Chemical Control

Systemic herbicides with glyphosate as the active ingredient can be used as a 20% solution as a cut stem or cut stump treatment. Treatments using herbicides with the active ingredient triclopyr can be applied as a 20% solution as cut stem, stump, or basal bark application. Cut stump, stem, and basal bark treatments may be most effective when applied in autumn as plants begin the transfer of nutrients down to their root systems to prepare for dormancy, moving herbicide through plant tissues to target the roots. Foliar application can be used during the growing season but should not be used when damage to nearby non-target organisms is a concern. Utilize cut stump, stem, and basal bark treatment to minimize damage to non-target plants and wildlife.

Repeat treatments using any of the above methods may be necessary. When using any chemical control, always read the entire pesticide label carefully, follow all mixing and application instructions and use all personal protective gear and clothing specified.

Monitoring & Reporting

Categorized as a Tier 4 species, the regional goal for porcelain-berry is local control. Its extent within LIISMA is fairly well understood and documented, with many sightings documented throughout the region. Widespread invasive species such as porcelain-berry are primarily a concern when found within relatively uninvaded habitat or within one of the LIISMA ISPZs, or Invasive Species Prevention Zones. If you see this plant or any other invasive species in a priority conservation area, report it on iNaturalist or iMapInvasives.

iNaturalist is an app and website that can help you record your own observations, identify species, collaborate with others, and access the observational data collected by iNaturalist users. Already using iNaturalist? Join a LIISMA iNaturalist Project to have your invasive species observations automatically uploaded to our projects! Here are some of our projects you can join: Invasive Species in Priority Areas, EDRR Species, LIFERS, Tier 1 Invasive Species, and more!