Ampelopsis arborea
(peppervine)

A. arborea is a deciduous or semi-evergreen vine which can either grow near the ground or as a climber. It is reported as invasive for Cuba, but without information about the spread and invasiveness in that country (Oviedo Prieto et al., 2012). Although it is not reported as invasive elsewhere, Kimbrough (2008) and Hawkins et al. (2010) argue that the species could overtake other plants due to its growth habit; and that it can smother other species, making it an undesirable plant for cultivation. Hall (1984) reports that it is a weed in citrus groves. Its fruits are attractive to birds and mammals, which act as dispersers of the species (Kimbrough, 2008).

A. arborea is native to North America (north-central, northeastern, south-central and southeastern regions of the United States) and the north of Mexico (See Distribution Table for details; Missouri Botanical Garden, 2016; USDA-ARS, 2016). Its status in Cuba is unsettled, being declared as either native or introduced (Lombardi, 2000; Acevedo-Rodríguez and Strong, 2012; Oviedo Prieto et al., 2012; Wen et al., 2014; USDA-NRCS, 2016). It has been introduced to Barbuda (Broome et al., 2007). The species was reported for Puerto Rico, but Acevedo-Rodríguez and Strong (2012) argue that the species does not occur on the island. It was introduced in the United Kingdom as a garden plant in 1700, but there is no evidence of naturalization in that country (Jarvis, 1973). 

A. arborea has a low risk of introduction. At present it is only reported as introduced in Barbuda and Cuba; it is thought to be invasive on the latter island but details are lacking (Broome et al., 2007; Oviedo Prieto et al., 2012). In its native range it is noted as having the potential of becoming weedy in gardens and cultivated lands (Hall, 1984; Kimbrough, 2008; Hawkins et al., 2010). In its natural habitats it is mostly listed as occasional, uncommon or infrequent (Montz, 1972; Nixon, 1975; Jones, 1983; Horvitz et al., 1995; Singhurst et al., 2003; Wilder and Barry, 2012). It is available from some nurseries in the United States, advertising it as a good species to attract pollinators, and to use as a ground cover, for walls, fences and trellises (Wildflower Center, 2016). It has the potential to spread through cultivation, should it become a popular garden plant. In its native range, birds and mammals are reported as eating the fruits and dispersing the seeds through their droppings (Kimbrough, 2008).

A. arborea is reported as growing in hardwood forests, swamps, marshes, stream banks, spoil banks in wetlands, bluffs, shrub lands and prairies (Gemborys, 1974; Schneider and Sharitz, 1986; Stalter, 1984; Easley and Judd, 1993; Kelly, 2006; Nolfo-Clements, 2006; MacRoberts et al., 2009). Near the coasts it is found in salt marshes, estuaries, mudflats and sand dunes (Coker 1905; Evans, 1979; Easley and Judd, 1990; Hoffman and Dawes, 1997; Stalter et al., 1999). It is listed with the FACW, FAC, FACU and UPL wetland indicators, which classify it as a species that can occur in wetlands and uplands (National Wetland Plant List, 2016).

Genetics

The chromosome number for A. arborea is reported as 2n=40 (Lewis, 1958).

Reproductive Biology

A. arborea flowers are inconspicuous and visited by a wide array of insects, including the honey bee, Apis mellifera (Mackensen and Tucker, 1973; Kimbrough, 2008). Internet sites for gardening and nurseries advertise the species as a good plant to attract pollinators. Fruits mature at different rates. Fruits are fleshy and attractive to birds and mammals, which disperse the seed in their droppings. For seed germination the recommended method is soaking the seeds in water at 20°C for 24 hours, and germinating them at 24°C in 75-80% humidity with a 15-hour photoperiod (Hall, 1984). The species can reproduce asexually through hardwood and semi hardwood cuttings and runners (Kimbrough, 2008).

Physiology and Phenology

The species is reported to be fast growing, either as a ground cover or a climbing vine. Flowering occurs from April to September. Fruits are found from June to October. The foliage turns pale yellow in autumn and it is deciduous in winter (Hall, 1984; Wildflower Center, 2016).

Environmental Requirements

Reported requirements for the species are: pH 6.8 to 7.2; soils sandy, sandy loams, medium loams and clay loams; in sun to partial shade (Wildflower Center, 2016). Harper (1943) reports that A. arborea prefers lime rich soils. The species is reported to survive prolonged flooding for 3-4 months (Brown, 1929; Noble and Murphy, 1975). 

A. arborea is affected by various herbivorous insects, including Aphis illionensis and Capraita saltator (Nielsson et al., 1971; Flowers et al., 1994). The pathogen Xylella fastidiosa, is also reported on the species (Janse and Obradovic, 2010).

Animal feed, fodder, forage

• Forage

Environmental

• Wildlife habitat

Ornamental

• garden plant
• Potted plant
• Seed trade

Two species of Ampelopsis are native to North America, A. arborea with compound leaves, and fruits maturing to dark blue-black and A. cordata with simple leaves and fruits maturing to purplish-blue (Lombardi, 2000).

A. arborea is often mistaken with poison ivy, Toxicodendron radicans, both with compound leaves. In A. arborea new leaves are purple red, 2-3 pinnately compound with mature fruits that are red to blue-black. The poison ivy leaves are trifoliate with the mature fruits grey to white (Kimbrough, 2008).

Due to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.

Physical/mechanical control

Hand pulling during the spring before flower buds appear, is the preferred management option for the control of A. arborea in gardens (Kimbrough, 2008). Mowing is not recommended as it can spread the vine fragments (Hall, 1984).

Chemical control

Glyphosate is recommended for the control of A. arborea (Schmalzer et al., 2002). Kimbrough (2008) suggests cutting the older vines near the ground and treating the cuts with a broadleaf herbicide. Treatment of emerging vines with a contact or systemic herbicide is also recommended (Hall, 1984).

Information about the invasiveness of the species and its effects over the invaded habitats and the biodiversity is needed.

28/05/2016 Original text by:

Jeanine Vélez-Gavilán, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez