Ampelopsis glandulosa

Botanical Description

Ampelopsis glandulosa is a deciduous climbing shrub with vigorous stems that can be 10 metres or more long. The plant scrambles over the ground, climbing into the surrounding vegetation where it supports itself by means of coiling tendrils. The plant can climb to the tops of trees in the woodland[ 11 Title Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Publication Author Bean. W. Publisher Murray Year 1981 ISBN - Description A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures. , 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. , 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ]. The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. A very ornamental plant, it is often grown in gardens. This species has become a serious invader of the eastern United States, where it closely resembles native species of grape. It invades streambanks, pond margins, forest edges and other disturbed areas. Once established, the vine quickly overwhelms native vegetation by shading out smaller plants and competing for water and nutrients. The vine smothers native plants as it surrounds them and burdens them with extra weight, which causes the natives to become susceptible to wind and ice damage. Especially vulnerable to invasion in North America, are urban parks with extensive wooded borders, neighbouring landscaped residential and private property. Although attractive to landscapers, the thick mats of growth spatially usurp other plants. The colourful berries (carrying 2-4 seeds each) attract birds and other small animals that eat the berries and disperse the seeds in their droppings[ 413 Title Global Invasive Species Database Publication Author Website http://www.issg.org/database/welcome/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Very detailed information on almost 400 species (with more being added) of plants that have become weeds in areas outside their native range. ].