grassroots Horticulture : Identifying Vines

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Helpful Botanical Introduction to Study a Specific Plant

If you would like to delve deeper into the botanical information of a plant, with helpful images, try using the USDA plants database. This is what I do.

PLANTS.usda.gov.

(1) Find the botanical name, Toxicodendron, and

(2) plug that into search box on the left.

You will get the results for all Toxicodendron and can delve deeper into the specific plant you are looking for. In this case you will find there are a few poisonous plant species. This is how I study new plants and find answers. There is a graphic of the United States that indicates where the species is found as a native (green), introduced (blue), or gray (not found as a native in that state).

Tabs at the top will take you to additional information including images.

I like this site because it uses charts, graphics, and photographs so it is rich with data if you are a visual learner.

The full rhyme we learn as children:

Leaflets three, let it be. Berries red, have no dread; berries white, a poisonous sight.

Hairy vine, no friend of mine. (poison ivy vines)

Raggy rope, don’t be a dope. (poison ivy vines)

Red leaves in the spring, it’s a dangerous thing.

Side leaves like mittens, will itch like the dickens.

Grape Family

Vine I

FINALLY! The identification for this vine has been very difficult. It is not aggressive in my garden but it is persistent.

Underside of leaf

At first I thought it might be western poison-oak or fragrant sumac Rhus aromatica based on the leaf shape. The leaf is waxy and has a strong peppery scent reminiscent of roasted sesame oil. Thanks to a persistent “image search,” I believe it to be Cissus trifoliata. I found it at, Sheryl Smith Rogers’ Window on a Texas Wildscape blog. She says,"Sorrelvine, cow-itch vine (Cissus trifoliate), is a member of the grape family. In other parts of Texas it might be refered to as marine vine. According to Wildflowers, Trees, and Shrubs of Texas, it can cause contact dermatitis in some individuals." Birds and other wildlife love the berries, and it hosts several incredible Sphinx Moths and the beautiful Wilsons Wood Nymph

My botanical reference book does not include this vine under the scientific or common name.

Cow-itch vine

Leaf, tendrils, vine, and root structure

Further research at the National Gardening Association revealed the, “The scent of the leaf is described as maloderous” It appears to grow in Austin and San Antonio. I have never experienced skin allergies from trimming the vine. Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center also gave further verification.

Detail of root structure and tendrils

Grape Family

Vine II

Grape Family

Virginia creeper

virginia creeper

Virginia creeper	Parthenocissus quinquefolia	Grape Family Vitaceae

Grape Family

Vine III

mustang Grape Vine

Mustang grape, liania
Vitis mustangensis

The Mustang grape vine grows along the fence row and up the native oak tree trunks. If it is not trimmed each year the vines can grow and cover the tree canopy, weakening the trees.

Mustang grape, leaf (Vitis mustangensis)

The leaves of the Mustang grape are variable in size and shape.

Ginseng Family

Vine IV

Ginseng family
English Ivy, Hedera Helix

Moonseed Family

Vine V

Moonseed family

Carolina coralbead, Carolina snailseed, Carolina moonseed, Carolina red berried moonseed, red berried moonseed. Cocculus carolinus.

This vine is first spread by birds depositing seeds and then the very aggressive vine spreads through an highly efficient underground roots system. I consider it an obnoxious weed.

Carolina snailseed

cocculus carolinus

leaf and flower detail

This leaf might be Carolina moonseed, also

Similacaceae Family

Vine VI

Greenbriar

Smilax bona-nox

Similacaceae family

I consider it an obnoxious weed.

According to Wildflowers, Trees, and Shrubs of Texas, says greenbriar's blue-black berries are inedible. However, "berries and roots yield dyes for wool."