Boston Ivy

Parthenocissus Tricuspidata
Vitaceae
| Podcast Script

Plant	Stem
Leaf	Seeds

Classification:

Angiosperm, Dicot, deciduous

Size:

• The plant normally grows to about 4-6' tall. Can grow more if given suitable support.
• Leaves are green year round except in the fall when they turn a deep red.
• Typically 10" in width.

Identifying Features:

• It attaches itself by small branched tendrils that have sticky discs at the end.
• The three lobed leaves, hence the name tricuspidata.

Location/Habitat:

• Plant is native to China and Japan.
• Plant can be found anywhere in the United States where the conditions are allowing.

Flower/Fruit/Reproduction:

• Boston Ivy is deciduous, which when applied to plants means its leaves fall on an annual basis in autumn.
• Bluish fruit, born on red pedicles, fruit ripen in September.
• Greenish white flowers.

Water/Sun Requirements:

• Soil: Minimum pH:6.1, Maximum 7.5
• Sun Exposure: Sun to partial shade.
• Cold Hardiness 4a to 8b (map).
• Water regularly, when top 3 in. of soil is dry.

Special Adaptations:

• Tendrils that allow it to stick and climb walls.

Other Info:

• Can be dangerous to native shrubbery because it creates a dense shade-tolerant groundcover that outcompetes native vegetation.
• Known to baseball fans as covering the outfield wall of the Cub's Wrigley Field.
• Used widely for covering the walls of masonry.
• Best way to remove it from walls is to sever the vine from the root.
• A great look at the taxonomy of this plant.

Reference Sources/Links:

USDA Plant Site
McAllister, H. (1982). New work on ivies. Int. Dendrol. Soc. Yearbook// 1981: 106-109
Wikipedia-Boston Ivy
Wikipedia-General Ivy
Zipcodezoo-general 'p' page

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Created by Leon S. 2007