Common Name: Porcelain Berry

General Information

Ampelopsis glandulosa is a deciduous climbing shrub with vigorous stems that can be 10 metres or more long. The plant scrambles over the ground, climbing into the surrounding vegetation where it supports itself by means of coiling tendrils. The plant can climb to the tops of trees in the woodland[, , ].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. A very ornamental plant, it is often grown in gardens.
This species has become a serious invader of the eastern United States, where it closely resembles native species of grape. It invades streambanks, pond margins, forest edges and other disturbed areas. Once established, the vine quickly overwhelms native vegetation by shading out smaller plants and competing for water and nutrients. The vine smothers native plants as it surrounds them and burdens them with extra weight, which causes the natives to become susceptible to wind and ice damage. Especially vulnerable to invasion in North America, are urban parks with extensive wooded borders, neighbouring landscaped residential and private property. Although attractive to landscapers, the thick mats of growth spatially usurp other plants. The colourful berries (carrying 2-4 seeds each) attract birds and other small animals that eat the berries and disperse the seeds in their droppings[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, E. Russia.

Habitat

Thickets in hills all over Japan[]. Climbing up trees in valleys or over shrubs on hillsides at elevations of 100 - 600 metres in Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces of China[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Climber
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Ampelopsis glandulosa has a very wide range, from the far east of the Russian Federation through China to India, Vietnam and the Philippines. Most forms of this species, especially the forms brevipedunculata and heterophylla, are very cold-hardy when dormant, though forms from the south of the plants range can be frost-tender. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[]. In order to fruit well, the plants require a long hot summer to fully ripen their wood and promote flowering[].
Prefers a deep rich loam in a warm sheltered position in full sun, though plants are very adaptable, growing well in most soils and in moderate shade[, , ]. Succeeds in poor soils so long as they are well-drained[, ]. Established plants are drought tolerant[]. Does well on a sunny wall[, ].
If the plant is growing in a poor soil on a sunny wall then it fruits quite regularly[]. Plants fruit better if their roots are restricted, this can be achieved by root pruning in the winter or by putting the plant into a large container and then placing this in the soil[]. Growth, especially in good soils, can be very vigorous and this is usually at the expense of the fruits[].
The flowers and fruits appear on new growth, so the plant can be cut down to ground level in late winter, if desired, in order to control growth[].
There are some named varieties, developed for their ornamental value[].
Any pruning is best carried out in the winter[].
Plants support themselves by means of coiling tendrils, but in cultivation large plants often need tying in to support the weight of foliage[, ].

Edible Uses

Leaf buds - cooked[].

Leaves and stems - cooked[, , ].

Fruit - raw or cooked[, ]. The fruit is 6 - 8mm in diameter[] and is carried in small bunches like grapes[]. Not very palatable[].

Medicinal

The fresh fruits, roots and leaves are antiphlogistic, depurative and febrifuge. Resolves clots[]. It is used externally in the treatment of boils, abscesses and ulcers, traumatic bruises and aches[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in pots in a cold frame in the autumn or stratify for 6 weeks at 5°c and sow in the spring[]. Germination can be quite slow, sometimes taking more than a year. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. When they are more than 20cm tall, they can be planted out into their permanent positions, preferably in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm long, mid summer in a frame[].
Cuttings or eyes in late autumn or winter. Either place them in the ground in a greenhouse or cold frame, or put them in pots. An eye cutting is where you have just one bud at the top and a short length of stem with a small part of the bark removed. These normally root well and grow away vigorously, being ready to plant into their permanent positions the following autumn.
Layering into pots in late summer. Partially sever the stem in spring and then lift the new plants in the autumn[].