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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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: 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 , BrownBloom 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 , WVCanada: MB , ON , QC
Native Habitat: Woodland edges, thickets, and streambanks.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , ShadeSoil 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 |
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 PlantsFNA: Find Menispermum canadense in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Menispermum canadense
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-07Research By: TWC Staff