Ampelopsis glandulosa

Porcelain berry

Family: Vitaceae

Origin: Asia

Berries have a range of colours including red, green, blue, purple, pink and yellow. Berries are covered in small dots making them appear painted.

Photo credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) status

Not a legally declared pest

View more about the RPMP statuses

General description

Deciduous woody perennial vine < 6 m tall. Leaves are heart-shaped, lobed and alternate, with toothed margins. Flowers are small, green-white and borne in clusters. Berries are brightly patterned and coloured red/blue/green/purple/pink/yellow.

What you need to know

Although porcelain berry is not a legally declared pest plant, it may still be invasive in some situations. Consider lower risk alternatives for your garden, such as native plants.

Habitats

Forest and riparian margins, canopy gaps, open areas, wasteland.

Dispersal

Seeds dispersed by birds and possibly mammals and water. Vegetative spread from layering. Human-mediated dispersal through deliberate plantings.

Impact on environment

Can form dense infestations, smothering native vegetation and suppressing seedling recruitment.

Control

Site Management

Cut and pull vines away from desirable trees and native plants before foliar spraying. Follow up treated areas 3 times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after 2-3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.

Recommended approaches

Physical control

Method: Cut vines and leave upper stems to die in trees and dig out.

Plant parts requiring disposal: All parts (except vines if left to die in trees).

Disposal options: Compost in a composting weed bag or remove to greenwaste or landfill.

Biocontrol

Biocontrol is currently not available for this species.

Community agrichemical control recommendations

No qualifications:

For small infestations: Cut stump and paste freshly cut base of stems with metsulfuron gel.

Basic Growsafe certified:

For small infestations: Cut stump and spray freshly cut base of stems with 1g metsulfuron-methyl per 1L of water. Cut vines at waist height and foliar spray vines on the ground with 0.5g metsulfuron-methyl per 1L of water.

Certified Handler/Experienced agrichemical user:

For medium to large infestations: Cut vines at waist height and foliar spray vines on the ground with 5g metsulfuron-methyl per 10L of water and 20ml penetrant.

Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.

Close up of porcelain berries on a branch.

A perennial vine that can grow through trees up to a height of 6m. Stems become woody and leaves will die off over winter making the plant hard to spot in forests.

Photo credit: James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Porcelain berry climbing over other plants.

Flowers are small and green/ white and form in clusters. Berries then form containing seeds that are distributed by birds into other areas.

Photo credit: Jil M. Swearingen, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org

Not a legally declared pest plant in Auckland but has the potential to be weedy. Tends to grow fast and cover other plants blocking them from getting to the sun.