Porcelain Berry

Vitaceae

LIFE FORM: Vine

NATIVITY: Northeast Asia

VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

Rampant vine with deeply and irregularly lobed, alternate leaves.

FLOWERS:

Iinconspicuous.

FRUIT/DISPERSAL AGENTS:

Beautiful blue fruits produced in fall and dispursed by birds; trailing stems root where they touch the ground.

ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCE:

Grows rampantly on fences and walls; chain-link fence lines; rock outcrops and stone walls.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION:

Food and/or habitat for wildlife; erosion control on slopes; stream and river bank stabilization.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Beautiful blue fruits and highly dissected leaves make this an attractive plant. Introduced as an ornamental species. Invasive species in minimally managed habitats.