Porcelain berry in full fall color

[Mousetoescamper]

A beautiful and invasive vine, Porcelain berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata) has fruits that turn brilliant blue when they mature in the fall. This vine is growing on my neighbor's chain link fence.

Native to Japan and Northern China, porcelain berry was imported to the United States in 1870 to be used as an ornamental and landscape plant. The same characteristics that made this a desirable landscape plant for the home gardener and landscaper—low maintenance and easy to grow, and colorful berries—are the same characteristics that make it quickly invasive and difficult to eradicate. Ranked as a severe threat on Pennsylvania’s invasive species list, porcelain berry can quickly spread into native plant communities, displacing the native vegetation. In ideal growing conditions, a single plant in a single growing season can reach 20 to 25 feet long. It will cling to supporting structures, such as fences, trellises, or shrubs and trees, using tendrils. Stems commonly twine around each other, as do the supporting structures. Plants will climb up and over other vegetation, blocking access to light. If it is allowed to grow on trees and shrubs, it can shade out younger plants and leave older growth more vulnerable to storm damage. https://extension.psu.edu/porcelain-berry-an-unwanted-beauty

[lynintenn]

1. I have one on my fence. cut it back 3 times

[Mousetoescamper]

2. They are tenacious.

[Diamond_Dog]

3. What a beautifully composed photograph!

The leaf, the single blue berry, the background …. perfection!

[Mousetoescamper]

5. Thanks for your encouragement, Diamond_Dog. We need to support each other in our grief.

[Diamond_Dog]

6. Absolutely, Mousetoescamper.

I’m still at the point of trying to process the last 24 hours. Thought about starting a painting today but my heart’s just not into it. It helps immensely to think that we’re all feeling the same way.

[Mousetoescamper]

8. I hope you can find the inspiration to paint.

I'm going to take some photos tomorrow. Took a sunset photo Monday that I'd planned to post yesterday, before our calamity. Maybe the sunset will bring a little joy to someone today.

[Diamond_Dog]

9. I will look forward to your upcoming photos, Mouse.

I’ll be okay. I just need to allow for some time for grieving for what used to be America right now.

[ShazzieB]

4. Sounds a lot like kudzu.

Imported from Asia? ✔
Highly invasive ? ✔
Grows really fast, spreads into native plant communities, displaces native vegetation? ✔ ✔ and ✔

I wonder if they're related, but I'm too tired to research it right now. Got home from working at the polls about half an hour ago, after getting up at 4:15 am this morning and putting in a 16 hour day. Surprised I have the energy to type at all lol. Looking forward to many hours of sleep tonight but need to unwind first.

Beautiful photo. The berry looks like an object constructed by an artist rather than something that actually grows on a plant.

[Mousetoescamper]

7. The world was very different when you posted last night.

I'v been reluctant to respond.

Thanks for your working at the polls yesterday.

Thanks.

[ShazzieB]

10. Ain't THAT the truth!

I understand taking a while to respond. I finally got sleepy and went to bed shortly after making that post anyway. I'm still numbly processing the news. I think my brain is forcing me to take things slowly, not letting me feel all the feels I'm eventually going to feel just yet, and that's fine with me.