Ampelopsis japonica — identification & habitat

Japanese peppervine is an East Asian vine with leaves divided into three to five leaflets. In the eastern United States, you are more likely to see its relative porcelain berry (Ampelopsis glandulosa) growing wild.

Appearance

Growth form: It is a climbing, woody vine with and thickened underground roots.
Leaves: Each leaf has three to five separate leaflets with coarse teeth.
Flowers: Small, pale yellow flowers appear in clusters opposite the leaves.
Fruit: Small, round berries follow the flowers.

Look-alikes

porcelain berryAmpelopsis glandulosa

Porcelain berry has a single leaf blade that may be shallowly or deeply lobed. Japanese peppervine has three to five separate leaflets; look where they join the leaf stalk.

Why they get mixed upThey are related climbing vines with toothed leaves.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: East Asian hillsides
shrubby grassland
Range: It is native to East Asia, where it grows on hillsides and in open shrubby places.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

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