Native Plant Database

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Simpson, Benny

Ampelopsis cordata Michx.

Heart-leaf ampelopsis, Heartleaf peppervine

Vitaceae (Grape Family)

USDA Symbol: amco2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A tendril bearing vine climbing into trees in stream bottoms and wooded canyons, bearing a resemblance to wild grapes but the fruit not edible. Leaf blades up to 5 inches long and 4 inches wide broadly ovate, with an extended tip, coarsely toothed margins, and a truncate to heart shaped base. Flowers inconspicuous, borne in clusters opposite the leaves, the flower stems frequently twining as tendrils. Fruit a berry up to 5/16 inch in diameter, slightly wider than long, ripening from late summer into fall.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Climber
Leaf Color: Green
Fruit Color: Purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green
Bloom Time: May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , MD , MS , MO , NE , NC , OH , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV , WI
Native Habitat: Stream/river banks, Open woodlands, Flood plains/bottomland
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Limestone-based, Caliche type, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Attractive, Fast growing, Twines on fences & other plants
Use Wildlife: Fruit-birds
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
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Bibliography

Native & Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin & the Hill Country (1981) Lynch, D.
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Ampelopsis cordata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Ampelopsis cordata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ampelopsis cordata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-08-31
Research By: TWC Staff

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