Introducing Owen Davenport, a young Friend of Brandymore Castle who will be blogging about plants and other topics of interest to you. Here he describes a plant with a large root system that climbs over trees, killing them by blocking their sun.

What is Porcelain Berry?

Porcelain berry is an invasive vine native to Northeastern Asia. Its colorful berries made it an attractive garden plant first imported to the United States around 1860. Like many invasive non-native plants, it escaped cultivation and rapidly spread into natural areas, such as forest edges and woodlands. This invasive species develops flowers in June to August, and colored berries sprout in September and October, persisting into winter if they are not eaten by birds and mammals, who spread the seeds..

Identifying Porcelain Berry

The Porcelain berry plant is a climbing vine with a woody stem. It climbs using tendrils that intertwine with vertical support such as a shrub, tree, or utility pole... Tendrils appear at every node of vine growth. The stem pith, or inner tissue, is white, and the young bark does not peel. The leaves of porcelain berry vines alternate and vary in shape: They can be symmetrical or asymmetrical and have toothed edges. The flowers bloom mid-summer in green clusters, while the berries sprout in the fall in shades of blue, violet, turquoise, green, and white. Porcelain berry can be confused with other native species. Native grape (Vitus) vine,  which superficially looks like Porcelain berry, has bark that peels vertically, and grape pith is brown. Fruit clusters of grape dangle while Porcelain berries are held upright.

The Problem With Porcelain Berry

As an invasive non-native species, Porcelain berry disrupts habitats by stealing resources from native plants. Porcelain berry is known to strangle native vegetation and replace the space for plants that are crucial to the environment. 

Come Help Out!

Porcelain berry vines are a problem in Brandymore Castle. Friends of Brandymore Castle are targeting Porcelain berry during volunteer work sessions on Sunday, Nov. 5, from 1-3 p.m., and Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 9-11 a.m.

Alerts will be sent for any weather cancellation, and we start in the cul-de-sac near 1730 N. Roosevelt St., Arlington 22205. Sign up here to help us clear out invasive species, especially Porcelain berry, from Brandymore Castle. Wear long pants and long sleeves for protection, closed shoes. Be the difference!

Author: Jo Allen
Published on: Sep 04, 2023, 8:04 PM