Porcelain berry

Porcelain berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata) is a perennial, woody vine that was introduced to the United States as an ornamental landscape plant. It’s now widespread in the eastern United States and is moving its way west, with sightings in many midwest states. Porcelain berry is considered a restricted noxious weed in Minnesota as it can overtake and out-shade native trees and shrubs.

Porcelain berry thrives in woodland openings, forest edges, and river and pond banks, though it can grow in a wide variety of soil types. It prefers full to partial sun. It can grow to 25 feet long and has strikingly attractive spotted fruit in the fall.

Help the University of Minnesota and natural resources managers track the spread of porcelain berry by learning how to identify and report it below.

Porcelain berry growing up a tree by Katy Swiere, iNaturalist.

How you will help

Early detection is key to controlling and reducing the spread of invasive species. Report any sightings of lesser celandine to EDDMapS.org.

Please include photos when entering reports.

Watch this 2:11 minute video to learn how to report to EDDMapS.

Identification

Photo of porcelain berry leaves by Brandon Corder, iNaturalist.

Leaves

Porcelain berry leaf shape can vary but are typically deeply lobed with three to five divisions and serrated edges. They can also resemble grape leaves. Leaves are alternately arranged and can be 5 inches long.

Photo porcelain berry flowers by Sam Kieschnick, iNaturalist.

Flowers

Flowers are greenish-white or greenish-yellow and grow in loose, upward-facing clusters. Individual flowers are small, usually under ⅓ of an inch. Flowers bloom from June-August.

Pink, violet, blue, and white porcelain berries growing in clusters.

Photo porcelain berry fruit by Oliver Stringham, iNaturalist.

Fruit

The fruit on this vine is eye-catching. The berries are speckled and can range in color from white, yellow, purple or green on the same vine at the same time. Berries are usually ⅓ inch wide and contain 1-4 seeds, ripening in September and October.

Birds are known to spread the seeds, but porcelain berry can also resprout through its fibrous roots.

Mature porcelain berry bark with ridges.

Photo mature porcelain berry by Leslie J. Merhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org.

Stems

Young vines have lenticels (pores/spots) while older vines are woody but do not peel, distinguishing it from wild grape. Thick woody vines can grow up to 4 inches in diameter. The pith of the stems are white.

Learn more

Porcelain berry | MN DNR

Porcelain berry | MDA

Questions about this project? Contact Angela Gupta, UMN Extension Forester, agupta@umn.edu

or Hana Kim, UMN Extension Educator, kim00688@umn.edu.

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