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Parthenocissus tricuspidata
  • Boston Ivy

a deciduous member of the Parthenocissus genus in the family Vitaceae.

Niche
  • Climber
    Climber
    There are no details available for this niche.
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Parthenocissus tricuspidata has 0 edible uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Sap - sweet[1]. The sap flows quite freely when it is harvested in the spring, as the plant comes into new growth, and can be used as a sugar substitute[2].

Sap

Unknown use

Unknown part

Sweetener

Material uses

This species can be grown as a ground cover plant in a sunny position[3]. Plants should be spaced about 2.5 metres apart each way[4]. They are very vigorous, however, and would soon swamp smaller plants[K].
There are no material uses listed for Parthenocissus tricuspidata.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Parthenocissus tricuspidata.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Climber or Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[5]. Stored seed requires stratifying for 6 weeks at 5°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible[5]. Germination is variable. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm taken at a node (ensure that it has at least 2 true buds), July/August in a frame[6]. Easy to root but they do not always survive the first winter[7]. Basal hardwood cuttings of current seasons growth, 10 - 12 cm long, autumn in a frame[5].

Layering[5].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Parthenocissus tricuspidata. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a well-drained moisture retentive fertile soil[5]. Succeeds in any fertile soil in sun or part shade[8].

Dormant plants are hardy to about -15°c[5], though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. A very ornamental plant[9], there are several named varieties[7]. The flowers are only produced on mature stems[8] and plants usually only fruit after a long hot summer[10]. A rampant climbing plant, clinging by means of round pad-like suckers on the tendrils[11]. It can become a bit of a nuisance by growing into gutters[7]. Plants are very tolerant of trimming and can be cut right back to within 1 metre of the base if required to rejuvenate the plant[8]. Any pruning is best carried out in the spring[10]. Dislikes transplanting[11], plants often put on very little growth in the year after planting out, though they are then fast growing[8].

Plants often hybridize and so do not always come true from seed[5].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Parthenocissus tricuspidata. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Parthenocissus tricuspidata.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Parthenocissus tricuspidata
Genus
Parthenocissus
Family
Vitaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
[3][4]
Botanic
[11][12][5]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Climber, Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    ?
    Growth Rate
    vigorous
    Mature Size
    18 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    6. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. ISBN 0-670-82929-3 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (1983-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    12. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)


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    Facts about "Parthenocissus tricuspidata"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyVitaceae +
    Belongs to genusParthenocissus +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has common nameBoston Ivy +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partSap + and Unknown part +
    Has edible useUnknown use + and Sweetener +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has growth rateVigorous +
    Has hardiness zone4 +
    Has mature height18 +
    Has search nameparthenocissus tricuspidata + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameParthenocissus tricuspidata +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheClimber + and Soil surface +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +