Boston-ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata, A.L.P.P.de Candolle & A.C.P.de Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 5: 452 (1887))

Family: Vitaceae

Author: (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch.

Bibliography: A.L.P.P.de Candolle & A.C.P.de Candolle, Monogr. Phan. 5: 452 (1887)

Year: 1887

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Parthenocissus

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. Russian Far East to E. China and Temp. E. Asia

Description

Boston-ivy, known scientifically as Parthenocissus tricuspidata, is a deciduous climbing plant belonging to the Vitaceae family. This vigorous, woody vine is native to regions spanning from the southern Russian Far East to eastern China, and is prevalent in temperate areas of East Asia. It is widely admired for its ability to create lush, green coverage on walls, fences, and trellises, making it a popular choice in landscape design and horticulture.

The plant exhibits a growth habit characterized by the use of adhesive tendrils, which enable it to cling to various surfaces. This feature makes Boston-ivy an ideal option for those seeking to add vertical or horizontal greenery without the need for additional support structures.

Throughout the growing season, Boston-ivy delights with its dense, glossy leaves that are typically trifoliate—composed of three leaflets distinctly lobed and pointed. These leaves transition through a spectacular autumn display, turning from vibrant green to shades of red, orange, and purple, before falling off in preparation for winter.

While Boston-ivy is lauded for its aesthetic appeal, it’s also functional. The foliage provides excellent coverage, which can help insulate buildings, reduce cooling costs in the summer, and protect structures from weathering.

This species was first described in detail by eminent botanists A.L.P.P. de Candolle and A.C.P. de Candolle in the fifth volume of Monographia Phanerogamarum (Monogr. Phan.) in 1887. Further taxonomic classification was refined by Siebold and Zuccarini, with the formal naming and description by Planchon.

In addition to its ornamental use, Boston-ivy serves an ecological role. It provides habitat and food for various wildlife, including birds and insects. Given its rapid growth and vigorous nature, it’s important for gardeners to manage its spread to prevent it from becoming invasive, especially in regions outside its native range.

Overall, Boston-ivy is both a versatile and resilient plant, cherished for its beauty and practicality in enhancing outdoor spaces.

Common Names

Eng: boston ivy, boston-ivy, japanese-creeper, japanese-ivy, japanese creeper, japanese ivy
Deu: dreilappige jungfernrebe, dreilappiger wilder wein, dreispitzige jungfernrebe
Spa: parra virgen
Dan: rådhusvin
Fra: vigne-vierge à trois pointes, vigne vierge de veitch, vigne vierge tricuspidée, lierre japonais, vigne-vierge du japon, vigne-vierge à trois becs
Ita: vite vergine del giappone
Hun: japán vadszőlő
Ces: pavini
Swe: rådhusvin
Nld: oosterse wingerd, driebladige wingerd
Cym: dringwr fflamgoch tri phigyn, dringwr fflamgoch triphigyn
En: Boston-ivy, Japanese-creeper, Japanese-ivy, Japanese Creeper, Boston ivy, Japanese ivy
Cs: Pavini, Loubinec trojlaločný
Da: Rådhusvin
Nl: Oosterse wingerd, Driebladige wingerd
Fr: Vigne vierge de Veitch, Vigne vierge tricuspidée, Vigne vierge à trois becs, Vigne-vierge tricuspidée, Vigne-vierge à trois pointes, Lierre japonais, Vigne-vierge du Japon, Vigne-vierge à trois becs
De: Dreilappige Jungfernrebe, Dreilappiger Wilder Wein, Dreispitzige Jungfernrebe
Hu: Japán vadszőlő
It: Vite americana, Vite vergine del Giappone, Vite del Canada a foglie intere
Sk: Pavinič trojlaločný
Es: Viña virgen, Parra virgen, Parra de Virginia, Parra del Japón
Sv: Rådhusvin
Cy: Dringwr Fflamgoch Tri Phigyn, Dringwr Fflamgoch Triphigyn

Synonyms

• Acer nikoense ((Miq.) Maxim.)
• Parthenocissus veitchii ((Laurentius) Graebn.)
• Vitis thunbergii (Druce)
• Parthenocissus thunbergii ((Nakai) Nakai)
• Vitis taquetii (H.Lév.)
• Crula nikoensis ((Miq.) Nieuwl.)
• Psedera tricuspidata ((Siebold & Zucc.) Rehder)
• Ampelopsis veitchii (Laurentius)
• Cissus veitchii ((Laurentius) Carrière)
• Vitis veitchii ((Laurentius) Hemsl.)
• Ampelopsis lowii (H.Low ex H.P.)
• Ampelopsis minima (Anon.)
• Cissus tricuspidata (Siebold & Zucc.)
• Negundo nikoense (Miq.)
• Ampelopsis veitchii robusta (J.R.Duncan & V.C.Davies)
• Ampelopsis tricuspidata f. veitchii ((Laurentius) Schelle)
• Psedera thunbergii (Nakai)
• Vitis inconstans (Miq.)
• Vitis tricuspidata ((Siebold & Zucc.) T.Moore & Mast.)
• Ampelopsis veitchii var. purpurea (L.Nagy)
• Parthenocissus tricuspidata f. veitchii ((Laurentius) Rehder)
• Parthenocissus tricuspidata f. purpurea ((L.Nagy) Rehder)
• Parthenocissus tricuspidata f. lowii ((H.Low ex H.P.) Rehder)
• Vitis roylei (G.Nicholson)
• Ampelopsis tricuspidata (Siebold & Zucc.)
• Ampelopsis haponica (Anon.)
• Quinaria veitchii ((Laurentius) Koehne)
• Quinaria tricuspidata ((Siebold & Zucc.) Koehne)

Distribution

• China North-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Japan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Albania (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Burundi (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Oct 16, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 26, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 28, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2019 by Ivaylo Ivanov (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 7, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 28, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2018 by Sara Álvarez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 16, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2020 by Chris McGuffin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2019 by Martin Šťastný (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2019 by Claudia Willert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 21, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2018 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2018 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 16, 2021 by Michael Pavlíček (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2022 by Acosta García Isabel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 23, 2021 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 23, 2021 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2022 by Michael Pavlíček (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Nov 3, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 3, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Stephane BLANPAIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3039209)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:50912710-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Crown

Growth habit: Vine

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 7