Controlling Invasive Vines along Streams and in Wetlands
Thorough guidelines for controlling each of the following species can be found in Cherri Smith's manual distributed by N.C. Department of Transportation.
Please follow this link to get this FREE manual:
http://www.ncdot.org/doh/preconstruct/pe/neu/NEUProcedures/NCDOT_Invasive_Exotic_Plants.pdf
Cayratia japonica (Bushkiller)
Photo credit: Robert J. Richardson, North Carolina State University, Bugwood.org
Bushkiller climbs over other plants and shades them to death. It is found in other southern states but in North Carolina its distribution has been limited to Winston-Salem, Charlotte, and Lexington. It can reproduce through fragments and through its seeds.
Bushkiller is a vine with long tendrils. Tendrils are formed opposite of leaves. The leaves are compound with 5 leaflets (1 – 3” long) which have serrated margins and are oblong. During the late summer, the plant produces a convex cluster (umbels) of small pinkish flowers. Berries have 2 or 4 seeds each.
Bushkiller is a vine with long tendrils. Tendrils are formed opposite of leaves. The leaves are compound with 5 leaflets (1 – 3” long) which have serrated margins and are oblong. During the late summer, the plant produces a convex cluster (umbels) of small pinkish flowers. Berries have 2 or 4 seeds each.
Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (Porcelain Berry)
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
For over 100 years, porcelain berry has been used as an ornamental plant in the United States. Its colorful berries are consumed by wildlife, especially birds, thus it has dispersed throughout the eastern states. It also is dispersed through water and is often found in riparian zones. Like kudzu and other invasive vines, it climbs over native vegetation, shading it from the sun, and, consequentially kills the native plants.
Porcelain berry is a woody vine distinguished by its berries which are produced in a variety of shades – including purple, blue, green, yellow, and white. The leaves are serrated and lobed - with between 3 to 5 lobes per leaf. They are arranged alternately along the stem. Pale green flower clusters bloom in midsummer.
Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle)
Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Japanese honeysuckle was bought over as an ornamental but has since spread into natural habitats across the United States. It spreads by rhizomes, runners, and bird-dispersed seeds. The plant forms evergreen mats which shade out native vegetation and climb up small trees and shrubs.
The Japanese honeysuckle can be identified by its fragrant flowers which blossom all summer. These flowers are yellow, white, trumpet-shaped, and occur in pairs. In the fall, they have small black fruits; the native species of Lonicera have red and orange fruits. The leaves of the Japanese honeysuckle are oblong (1 - 2" long), smooth (older leaves) or lobed (younger leaves) along the edges, and arranged oppositely along the stem. The Japanese honeysuckle also has 2 leaves at the tips of the stem; the native Lonicera species have only one leaf at the tip of the stem. Older stems are hollow and have brown, peeling bark.
Persicaria perfoliatum (Mile-A-Minute Vine)
Photo credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Mile-a-minute vine has invaded the northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States down to Virginia but has not yet been reported in North Carolina. It commonly invades open fields, woodland edges, roadsides, wetlands, and stream banks. It produces many seeds which are dispersed by birds and small animals. Fruits also disperse through the water. It is much easier to control an invasive species if we can manage infestations when they are still small. So, please watch out for mile-a-minute vine and report any infestations to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Weed Specialist at 1-800-206-9333.
Mile-a-minute vine forms dense mats of tangled stems. The leaves are triangular shaped and grow alternately along the stem. The leaves are barbed along the underside. The stems are also barbed. Stems redden as they age and have characteristic leafy circular structures (called ‘ocreae’) from which flowers emerge. The flowers are small, white, and inconspicuous. The plant fruits from July through the fall. Fruits are metallic blue, segmented, and grow in clusters. Each fruit segment contains a small black seed.
Mile-a-minute vine forms dense mats of tangled stems. The leaves are triangular shaped and grow alternately along the stem. The leaves are barbed along the underside. The stems are also barbed. Stems redden as they age and have characteristic leafy circular structures (called ‘ocreae’) from which flowers emerge. The flowers are small, white, and inconspicuous. The plant fruits from July through the fall. Fruits are metallic blue, segmented, and grow in clusters. Each fruit segment contains a small black seed.
Wisteria floribunda (Japanese Wisteria) and
Wisteria sinensis (Chinese Wisteria)
Photo credits (left to right): Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org; James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
These plants were introduced as ornamentals but have taken over natural habitats all over the eastern United States. It forms heavy vines which girdle, strangle, and kill trees and shrubs. It disperses mainly though runners.
This deciduous woody vine is identified by its fragrant clusters of drooping lavender flowers. The flowers bloom in spring. There is also a native variety which produces similar flowers, the native variety, however, will not climb or spread as aggressively. Infestations of wisteria are very likely the non-native varieties. The leaves of the exotic wisteria species are compound, with 7 - 13 leaflets per leaf (up to 12" long). The leaflets (3" long) are wavy and lance-shaped. The exotic wisteria also has velvety seed pods (4 - 6" long) and the native wisteria has smooth pods.
This deciduous woody vine is identified by its fragrant clusters of drooping lavender flowers. The flowers bloom in spring. There is also a native variety which produces similar flowers, the native variety, however, will not climb or spread as aggressively. Infestations of wisteria are very likely the non-native varieties. The leaves of the exotic wisteria species are compound, with 7 - 13 leaflets per leaf (up to 12" long). The leaflets (3" long) are wavy and lance-shaped. The exotic wisteria also has velvety seed pods (4 - 6" long) and the native wisteria has smooth pods.
