Lianas, low to moderately high climbing. Branchlets purplish green, usually sparsely puberulent, sometimes becoming glabrate. Leaves simple; petiole ± equaling blade; blade ovate, 6–14 × 4–11 cm, usually shallowly sometimes deeply, 3(–5)-lobed (but leaf never appearing compound), base cordate to subcordate, margins crenate-dentate to irregularly serrate, apex short acuminate, surfaces glabrous or abaxial surface puberulent. Inflorescences usually shorter than leaves. Flowers yellowish green. Berries ripening from green to white, rose, blue, or lilac, ± globose, 6–9 mm diam. 2n = 40.

Phenology: Flowering late May–Jul; fruiting Jul–Oct.
Habitat: Forest edges, pond margins, stream banks, thickets, disturbed areas.
Elevation: 0–800 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Introduced; Ark., Conn., Del., D.C., Ga., Ky., Md., Mass., Mich., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Pa., R.I., S.C., Tenn., Vt., Va., W.Va., Wis., Asia.

Discussion

The infraspecific classification of Ampelopsis glandulosa is highly controversial. Five varieties were recognized by Chen Z. D. et al. (2007). A broad concept of this taxon is followed here.

Native to eastern Asia, Ampelopsis glandulosa has become naturalized and weedy in the eastern United States. Reports from Alabama are based on plants persisting from cultivation; it does not appear to be naturalized there.

This taxon was also known as Ampelopsis heterophylla (Thunberg) Siebold & Zuccarini, which is a later homonym (not Blume 1825; see Chen Z. D. et al. 2007).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.