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Sorrel Vine Causonis japonica

Previously known as:

  • Cayratia japonica
This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
Description

Bushkiller is an invasive perennial herbaceous vine native to Tropical and Subtropical Asia, Australia and the West Pacific in the Grape family. It has been found in the Piedmont areas of NC so far. This vine can grow up to 40 feet long and climbs by long tendrils. In North America, it spreads vegetatively by rhizomes and adventitious roots when the roots are cut or disturbed. It has not been demonstrated to produce viable seeds here as it does in its native range. 

Flowers occur in late summer and are pinkish orange, cup-shaped and occur in umbrels. The leaves are compound with  5 leaflets.  The fruits are either white or purple with 2-4 seeds each.

Bushkkiller tolerates shade and full sun. It grows in damp deciduous areas along streams and ponds, developed and cultivated areas, and gardens.

The vine is invasive and out-competes native plants and stresses native trees by blocking sunlight and breaking branches due to its weight. It is sometimes confused with the native Virginia creeper as this vine also has 5 toothed leaflets but the terminal leaflet has no stem.

It can be difficult to control as it regenerates from rhizomes. Cutting it down to the ground and treating it with herbicides has had some success.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It is listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council and on the NC noxious weed list.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#invasive#tendrils#high maintenance#fast growing#aggressive#Noxious Weed List#rhizomatous#flowers late summer#weed#sun#berries#shade tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#invasive#tendrils#high maintenance#fast growing#aggressive#Noxious Weed List#rhizomatous#flowers late summer#weed#sun#berries#shade tolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Causonis
    Species:
    japonica
    Family:
    Vitaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical and Subtropical Asia, Australia and the West Pacific
    Distribution:
    HI, LA, MS, NC, TX
    Climbing Method:
    Tendrils
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Vine
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    White or purple grape-like fruit with 2-4 triangular seeds
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Pink
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small cup-shaped pinkish or yellowish flowers occur in umbrels late summer
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The green leaves are compound with five leaflets, 2 on each side and one at the tip with a longer stem. Margins are toothed and the undersides are whitish in color. Hairs can be present on both surfaces. Leaflets are 1-3 inches long and 1/2 to 1.5 inches wide. New growth can have a reddish color. Tendrils grow opposite of the leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Description:
    Stems are laterally flattened. Cut stems produce a sticky exudate. Branches can have a purplish-green color
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Invasive Species
    Weedy