Ampelopsis brevipedunculata var. maximowiczii (Regel) Rehd.

More info for the terms: invasive species, natural, prescribed fire, tree, vine, vines

Although porcelainberry is considered invasive in 12 states (reviews by [63,77]), its impacts are likely greatest along coastal areas of the Northeast where it is most common (see General Distribution). In the US Forest Service's Eastern Region, porcelainberry is classified as a Category 1 invasive species. Plants in this catagory are "nonnative, highly invasive plants which invade natural habitats and replace native species" [62]. Porcelainberry has been described in various parts of the Northeast as a "pernicious invader" (review by [47]), "extremely destructive" [53], "aggressive" ([18,76], review by [71]) and "highly invasive" [66]. However, based on a literature review, Luken [35] did not consider porcelainberry invasive in eastern forests, suggesting that it may not be invasive throughout its entire northeastern United States range. Although porcelainberry may not currently (2009) be problematic throughout its range, numerous states including Massachusetts [38], Connecticut [12], Tennessee [57], Georgia [20], and the upper Great Lakes states [13], have placed it on their invasive species lists due to its potential to become invasive.

Porcelainberry invades wildlands and can climb over and shade out native vegetation ([53], reviews by [40,42,56,70,71]). The extra weight of this vine may make supporting vegetation more susceptible to wind and ice damage (reviews by [2,40,53,71]). Heavy infestations of porcelainberry may kill native vegetation (reviews by [47,53]), suppress the establishment of tree seedlings ([76], review by [47]), and alter successional courses in invaded plant communities (see Successional Status). NatureServe [42] considers porcelainberry to have medium to low ecological impacts; its tendencies to shade out native vegetation and exploit other resources (i.e., water, nutrients) are of most concern.

Control: Once porcelainberry is established it is extremely difficult to control (reviews by [2,69]), and eradication is doubtful (reviews by [2,13,69]). Recommended control methods for porcelainberry (reviews by [2,13,47,56,69,70]) tend to be labor intensive and/or may be slow to show effects. Porcelainberry's potential for long-range seed dispersal [42] and ongoing intentional planting of it ([27], reviews by [11,42,71]) make control more difficult.

Fire: No information is available on the use of prescribed fire for porcelainberry control at the time of this publication (2009).

Prevention: Preventing the establishment and spread of porcelainberry has not been discussed in the literature; however, concern in the literature over porcelainberry's ongoing use for landscaping ([27] reviews by [11,42,71]) suggests that restricting the sale of porcelainberry may reduce future establishment and spread.

It is commonly argued that the most cost-efficient and effective method of managing invasive species is to prevent their establishment and spread by maintaining "healthy" natural communities [36,51] (e.g., avoid road building in wildlands [61]) and by monitoring several times each year [29]. Managing to maintain the integrity of the native plant community and mitigate the factors enhancing ecosystem invasibility is likely to be more effective than managing solely to control the invader [28].

Cultural control: Shading has been recommended as a means for controlling porcelainberry. Planting fast growing trees such as tulip-poplar and red maple, or allowing existing trees to mature, may shade out porcelainberry, provided trees are kept free of its vines (reviews by [2,47]). Shading may control porcelainberry best when used as a part of an integrated management plan [47].

Physical or mechanical control: Porcelainberry vines can be pulled down from trees (reviews by [13,69]). Cutting or mowing may control porcelainberry [53]—particularly after its vines have been pulled down from trees (reviews by [69])—but repeated treatments are necessary to prevent sprouting (reviews by [2,69]). Because it prevents flowering, cutting may be most effective in the fall or spring (reviews by [13,56,70]). Repeated mowing may reduce porcelainberry's "vigor" (review by [70]). One review indicated that porcelainberry's root system cannot be dug out [2].

Biological control: Based on a literature review, Ding and others [15] identified porcelainberry as one of a group of invasive species from Asia most in need of a biological control. Four natural enemies were identified as potential biological controls for porcelainberry [15], but as of this writing (2009) nothing more has been published.

Chemical control: Porcelainberry may be controlled with herbicides ([53], review by [56]) such as triclopyr or glyphosate (review by [70]). One review recommended a foliar application of glyphosate in early autumn to be the most effective control for porcelainberry. Basal bark applications of triclopyr formulated for use with penetrating oil control porcelainberry, but precaution must be taken not to harm other woody species (review by [13]). Experimental treatments to control porcelainberry indicated that herbicides controlled porcelainberry when used in conjunction with mowing [47]. It has been suggested that large porcelainberry vines be targeted for broad applications of herbicide and smaller vines be spot-sprayed ([47], review by [70]).

Herbicides are effective in gaining initial control of a new invasion or a severe infestation, but they are rarely a complete or long-term solution to weed management [9]. See the Weed control methods handbook [60] for considerations on the use of herbicides in natural areas and detailed information on specific chemicals.

Integrated management: Based on preliminary field testing, Robertson [47] recommended cutting porcelainberry to the ground and treating stumps with herbicide to gain initial control of porcelainberry, followed up with a dense planting of fast growing trees that may eventually shade out porcelainberry. He recommended that hand-pulling or herbicide spot-spraying be used to control subsequent sprouting.

More info for the terms: perfect, protandrous

Pollination and breeding system: Porcelainberry flowers are perfect ([21], review by [16]) and protandrous, suggesting the flowers may be cross pollinated (review by [78]). The flowers secrete nectar [21], which may attract insects for pollination.

Northeast Asia - China, Korea, Japan, and Russian Far East

More info for the term: cover

Birds ([53], reviews by [13,56]) and white-tailed deer [73] eat porcelainberry fruit, but it is unknown if it is an important food for any particular species. In Europe, porcelainberry serves as a host for the European grapevine moth [59].

Palatability and/or nutritional value: No information is available on this topic at the time of this publication (2009).

Cover value: No information is available on this topic at the time of this publication (2009).