Porcelainberry
Place of Origin: Northeast Asia (China, Japan, Korea, NE Russia)
Place of Harm: Northeast and N. Midwest
First Introduced: 1870’s
Harms: native plants and ecosystems
Other Names: creeper, Amur peppervine, wild grape
Porcelainberry is a deciduous woody perennial vine first cultivated as a bedding and landscape plant. Climbing 15-20 ft, it prefers moderate to high sunlight and is found in roadsides, oil fields, and streambanks. It does not tolerate high soil moisture or heavy shade. It spreads with bird-or-wind- dispersed seeds, which can stay viable for many years. Commonly confused with grape (Vitis), it is still commonly sold as an ornamental. The unusual multi-coloring of the berries is due to an anthocyanidins-flavonols copigmentation phenomenon. The problem with porcelainberry is that it grows quickly over other plants, including ground plants, forbs, and young trees, smothering them and depriving them of sunlight, similar to many other climbing vines. Porcelainberry also takes over a lot of space. This can unbalance forest ecosystems and harm insects and birds. Control of porcelainberry can include manual methods, such as pulling the vines; this will prevent flowering the following season. If the vines are too large to pull, cut it close to the base and apply systemic herbicide like triclopyr or glyphosate. All fruits should be bagged and disposed to avoid accidental spreading. Herbicides can also be applied foliarly. Porcelainberry spreads mainly by seed; flowers appear June through August. The multicolored berries appear in September and October and each contains 2-4 seeds. Seeds are spread either by birds/animals that eat them or by water flowing downstream. It will regrow if cut, and if conditions are good, it will grow over 15 ft a season. Porcelainberry also spreads by layering. Porcelainberry is a great ornamental if managed well, and the berries can be eaten (although they are not good).
Place of Origin: Northeast Asia (China, Japan, Korea, NE Russia)
Place of Harm: Northeast and N. Midwest
First Introduced: 1870’s
Harms: native plants and ecosystems
Other Names: creeper, Amur peppervine, wild grape
Porcelainberry is a deciduous woody perennial vine first cultivated as a bedding and landscape plant. Climbing 15-20 ft, it prefers moderate to high sunlight and is found in roadsides, oil fields, and streambanks. It does not tolerate high soil moisture or heavy shade. It spreads with bird-or-wind- dispersed seeds, which can stay viable for many years. Commonly confused with grape (Vitis), it is still commonly sold as an ornamental. The unusual multi-coloring of the berries is due to an anthocyanidins-flavonols copigmentation phenomenon. The problem with porcelainberry is that it grows quickly over other plants, including ground plants, forbs, and young trees, smothering them and depriving them of sunlight, similar to many other climbing vines. Porcelainberry also takes over a lot of space. This can unbalance forest ecosystems and harm insects and birds. Control of porcelainberry can include manual methods, such as pulling the vines; this will prevent flowering the following season. If the vines are too large to pull, cut it close to the base and apply systemic herbicide like triclopyr or glyphosate. All fruits should be bagged and disposed to avoid accidental spreading. Herbicides can also be applied foliarly. Porcelainberry spreads mainly by seed; flowers appear June through August. The multicolored berries appear in September and October and each contains 2-4 seeds. Seeds are spread either by birds/animals that eat them or by water flowing downstream. It will regrow if cut, and if conditions are good, it will grow over 15 ft a season. Porcelainberry also spreads by layering. Porcelainberry is a great ornamental if managed well, and the berries can be eaten (although they are not good).
Essential Question
"Could a genetically engineered invasive species potentially be used in warfare?"