Porcelain berry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata), also known as Amur peppervine, is easily recognized by its showy clusters of pink-purple-azure berries. These colorful fruits are the reason this perennial vine was brought to the United States in the 1870s from East Asia as an ornamental groundcover. Although originally intended for landscaped areas, its fecundity and adaptability have allowed it to spread readily into wild areas, and in many cases porcelain berry vines can completely smother the native vegetation. A vine from a single plant can grow over 25 feet long, and tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions: shade or direct sun, poor or rich soils, dry or moist conditions. This invasive growth habit has led to an outright ban on its cultivation in Massachusetts. 

At first glance, porcelain berry’s growth pattern and leaf shape closely resemble that of our native grape vines – in fact, they’re in the same family: Vitis – but the multi-colored fruits give porcelain berries away this time of year. However, even before the ripe berries appear, there are a couple tell-tale signs that you’re dealing with porcelain berries instead of one of our native grapes. First, the flower inflorescences of porcelain berry take on an upright umbrella shape, while the inflorescences of our native grapes are panicles that are broad at the base, tapered at the tip, and droop downward. Second, the berries of A. glandulosa also are held upwards, even when the vine is drooping downward. Grapes, on the other hand, have dangling clusters of fruit. 

Next time you see a patch of broad-leaved grape-line vines, take a closer look. Do you have grapes? Or porcelain berries?