Cissus trifoliata (L.) L.

Grape Ivy; Marine Ivy; Sorrel Vine

Vine

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Vascular

Grape Ivy is a native perennial woody vine in the Grape family (Vitaceae). It can be found in scattered locations across Alabama. Grape Ivy grows on dunes, on shell mounds, in sandhills, in vacant lots, and along railroads. It is a perennial with thickened, tuberous-like roots. The vines are up to 20 feet in length and climb or sprawl over other vegetation, on buildings, or along the ground. The vines are glabrous, green in color, and fleshy when young. The vines become woody towards the base. Grape Ivy climbs by unbranched tendrils. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, and 3-foliate. The leaflets are ovate in outline, thick and succulent, glabrous, with toothed margins. The leaves are evergreen. The flowers are produced in compound cymes opposite the leaves. The individual flowers are bisexual or unisexual and have 4 greenish-yellow recurved petals. The fruit is a black berry. All parts of the plant have an unpleasant odor when crushed. Grape Ivy is sometimes available from native plant nurseries. It prefers a well-draining soil in full sun, and can be used as a ground cover or to screen fences or the sides of buildings. Grape Ivy is drought and salt tolerant.--A. Diamond

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Not Native FAC (NWPL)

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