This Porcelain is No Fragile Piece of China! |
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What can grow 15-20 feet in one growing season, either along the ground or climbing up shrubbery or vertical supports, reproduce through seeds or asexually from the roots, tolerates shade or direct sun, poor or rich soils, dry or moist conditions, is outright banned in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and can outcompete other plants and can even choke out a fully mature tree while looking beautiful all the while?
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It’s an invasive non-native plant you’ve likely never heard of: Porcelain Berry, also called Amur Peppervine (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata). Natural Areas Manager Rick Simek is noticing this plant more and more each day in his stewardship efforts to reduce the negative impacts of non-native invasive species in our 300-acre Environmental Study Area. Given its ability to thrive in so many growing conditions, it’s no wonder!
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Photo below MN Dept. of Agriculture |
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Widespread in the eastern U.S. and some Midwestern states, in recent years, porcelain berry has been found growing in a few scattered locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and now Michigan (and my backyard!). This member of the grape family (Vitaceae), is native to Asia and was introduced to the U.S. in the 1870s as an ornamental landscape plant and ornamental groundcover. Those long-ago horticulturists had no idea what an invader they had unleashed on the native flora of the East Coast.
“Most horticulture staff agree that this is the most pervasive of all invasive plants that we are currently battling at Lewis Gintner Botanical Garden [in Richmond, VA]… We have found porcelain berry invading nearly every part of Lewis Ginter, from the parking lots to the Tree Trail…Even in winter, porcelain berry vines consume what they touch.” Yikes!
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With a reputation like this, why would anyone plant this voracious invader in their gardens? Well, part of its dossier is its beauty. Luminous berry clusters in a showy display of sparkling blues and purples resembling miniature bird’s eggs are the reason this perennial vine was brought to the United States in the 1870s from East Asia.
Porcelain berry coloration comes from the copigmentation produced by the interaction of anthocyanins and flavonols. Flavonols are colorless compounds that bond with the anthocyanins, resulting in the varied coloration of porcelain berries, ranging from pale pink to dark blue and purplish red.
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Photo from Jamestown Press. |
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Even though many local nurseries have phased out its sale, this successful non-native invasive is still popular in the horticultural trade, so the first step is to stop planting it and encourage others to do the same. If you see porcelain berry twisting its way along a fence or hedge, do your bit to help our local flora: pinch off the inconspicuous greenish flowers when they appear in summer, and remove the berries before a bird dines on them and spreads the invasive seeds.
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Birds and small mammals spread this plant over long distances by eating its fruits (and pooping out the seeds). Porcelain berry seeds may remain viable in the soil for several years. Effective control requires dedicated follow-up. Preventing the flowering, fruiting and production of mature seeds will help reduce its spread.
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Photo by Adrian Binns/
WildsideNatureTours.com
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Ironically, a “natural” predator of this Asian import are Japanese Beetles, even in North America… |
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EIC Parkhurst Natural Areas Fellow Courtney Wagner wants you to know: "No, that string on the flowers next to the EIC isn't left over from Halloween!" The EIC rain gardens were installed between 2007-2010 with many native plant species, like purple coneflowers or white heath aster. These plants help soak up rainwater runoff, absorb excess nutrients and pollution from the soil, and provide nectar and pollen for the EIC and other native bee hives.
Recently, the raingardens have been overrun with invasive goldenrod that is crowding out many of the other native species. This fall, EIC staffers have been working on mapping and cataloging the plants currently in the gardens, so we can start planning for replanting efforts to re-balance these beautiful and important campus features.
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On a recent lunchtime walk along the Orchard Trail, I couldn't overlook the abundance of American Robins foraging in the shrubs and flipping over leaves on the forest floor. Though these are not considered "long distance migrants," some of them will fly to warmer climes like the Gulf Coast.
To fuel their journey, migrating birds are bulking up on fruits and protein, such as insects and other creatures under the leaf litter. With a packed suitcase of stored fat (fuel for the journey), they'll be on their way. Don't worry-there are robins "up north" who'll arrive soon to spend their winters in southeast Michigan!
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In this unusual time, venturing outdoors and encountering nature is even more important. Our trails are accessible, so please visit our Environmental Study Area. Check out our Remote Learning Activities & Resources page for ideas to create a “Neighborhood Nature Journal” and “Family Nature Walk” activities! |
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Please stay safe, stay tuned, and stay engaged in learning activities while we eagerly wait for the opportunities to share experiences together. In the meantime, watch for our new online activities to satisfy your curiosity about the natural world. |
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Please remember...
The EIC Environmental Study Area is open daily from sunrise to sunset. We would like to remind nature-goers that fishing on site is prohibited and to leave bikes and dogs at home because they cause disruption and stress to the EIC wildlife.
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