Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Sunday - September 21, 2008
From: Wauconda, IL
Region: Midwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Plant identification of vine with purple fruit
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Illinois: I have a vine, red stems purple fruit with grape like clusters (sweet.hope it wasn't poisonous)What is it?ANSWER:
Here are some possibilities for your vine:Ampelopsis arborea (peppervine)
Ampelopsis cordata (heartleaf peppervine)
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper)
and there are four species of grape in Illinois:
Vitis labrusca (fox grape) and photos
Vitis riparia (riverbank grape) and photos
Vitis rupestris (sand grape) and photos
Vitis vulpina (frost grape) and photos
If none of these is your vine, then please take photos and send them to us and we will do our best to identify it. Visit the Mr. Smarty Plants Plant Identification page to read the instructions for submitting photos.
More Vines Questions
Mystery vine in Alberta, Canada
February 01, 2011 - Recently, I came across a vine (looked like virginia creeper/clematis type base - heavy and woody like) in Calgary, Alta - it was climbing on a metal fence that was approx 4'tall - unfortunately the...
view the full question and answer
Plant with dark black/purple berries in a cluster
November 06, 2012 - Today at our local dog park we noticed a bush/vine that's been growing up the fence is producing berries. It didn't flower at all. The berries look to have started out green and now are changing t...
view the full question and answer
Chlorosis in Texas Wisteria from Blanco TX
November 05, 2012 - Just noticed a Texas Wisteria I bought last month and it is already looking chlorotic. Mixed compost in w/the dirt it is planted in but I don't think that will be enough. Is Blanco soil too alkaline?...
view the full question and answer
Vines to Cover Brush Pile in Maryland
April 29, 2013 - We have a large brush pile on our property that we'd intended to burn, but it is big enough now that it would require the help of the fire department! I'm thinking I'd like to cover it with native ...
view the full question and answer
Vines for trellis in Livermore, CA
October 29, 2009 - I am looking for a native vine for a northern California location. It's Livermore California with a climate intermediate between the SF Bay and the Central Valley. Some frost in the winter. Maybe 10 ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |