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Smith, R.W.

Menispermum canadense

Menispermum canadense L.

Common Moonseed

Menispermaceae (Moonseed Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: MECA3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

A climbing vine with small, greenish-white flowers in small loose clusters in axils of large leaves; each leafstalk attached just inside leaf�s edge.

The poisonous fruit of this plant ripens in September and resembles whitish-powdered grapes. The fruit is highly toxic, may be fatal if eaten.

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Leaf Shape: Ovate , Reniform
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Stems twining, up to about 15 feet long.
Fruit: Black

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: MB , ON , QC
Native Habitat: Woodland edges, thickets, and streambanks.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist

Benefit

Use Food: The fruit is highly toxic, may be fatal if eaten.
Warning: Plant poisonous. The fruit is highly toxic, may be fatal if eaten.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACU				FACU	FACU		FAC	FAC

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 3 - Flora of North America (2014) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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