Nekemias arborea
{{Short description|Species of vine}}
{{Hatnote|"Pepper vine" redirects here. Outside the United States, this usually refers to some species of Piper (genus).}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Pepper vine
| image = Peppervine.jpg
| genus = Nekemias
| species = arborea
| authority = (L.) J.Wen & Boggan
}}
Nekemias arborea, commonly known as pepper vine, is native to the Southeastern United States, Texas, and New Mexico. It spreads rapidly, climbing up trees and bushes.{{Cite PLANTS |symbol=AMAR5 |taxon=Nekemias arborea |access-date=2010-10-10 }} It prefers moist soils such as stream banks, and disturbed areas.{{Cite web |title=Ampelopsis arborea (Buckvine, Cow Itch, Peppervine, Pepper Vine) {{!}} North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox |url=https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ampelopsis-arborea/ |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=plants.ces.ncsu.edu}}
Description
: A deciduous to semi-evergreen vine that can be ground cover-like, but is often high-climbing and bushy. Grows 35 ft. or more.{{Cite web |title=Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin |url=https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=NEAR5 |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=www.wildflower.org}}
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: Leaves are alternate, bi-pinnately divided and up to 6 inches long and wide. There are 1-3 pairs of leaflets. They are roughly ovate and coarsely toothed, dark green on the upper surface, lighter on the lower. Newly emerged leaves are purple-red and change to a light green to dark green as they reach mature size. Foliage turns pale yellow or red in fall.
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: Flat-topped clusters of tiny, green flowers are followed by clusters of pea-sized, bluish-purple berries. Fruit fleshy, up to 5/8 inch in diameter, black and shiny when ripe. Fruit attractive to wildlife but possibly poisonous for humans.
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Synonyms
Its synonyms include: Ampelopsis arborea (L.) Koehne, Ampelopsis bipinnata Michx., Ampelopsis pinnata DC., Cissus arborea (L.) Des Moul., Cissus bipinnata Elliott, Cissus orientalis Lam., Cissus stans Pers., Hedera arborea (L.) Walter, Nekemias bipinnata Raf., Vitis arborea L., Vitis bipinnata Torr. & A.Gray, and Vitis orientalis (Lam.) Boiss.
Cultivation
Nekemias arborea is used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
References
{{Reflist}}
- {{cite book | author=Pink, A. | title=Gardening for the Million. | url=https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11892 | year=2004 | publisher=Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation}}
External links
- [https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant.aspx?id=980 Atlas of Florida Plants: Nekemias arborea]
{{Taxonbar|from1=Q42811051|from2=Q4748115}}
Category:Flora of the Southeastern United States
Category:Garden plants of North America
Category:Plants described in 1753
Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
Category:Flora without expected TNC conservation status
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