About

Parthenocissus tricuspidata is a species of flowering plant in the grape family (Vitaceae) native to eastern Asia (Korea, Japan, and northern and eastern China), where it thrives in floodplain bushes, riverside woodland and moist mountain mixed forests. Although unrelated to true ivy, it is commonly known as Boston ivy, grape ivy, Japanese ivy, and also as Japanese creeper, and by the name woodbine (though the latter may refer to a number of different vine species).

The specific epithet tricuspidata means three-pointed, referring to the leaf shape. Boston ivy is readily distinguished from the Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) by its simple leaves with pointed lobes (Virginia creeper leaves are divided into five separate leaflets).

How to grow it

P. tricuspidata uses adhesive pads to attach to surfaces, allowing it to climb vertically up trees, walls, and other structures. Contact with a surface signals the adhesive pads to secrete mucilage through microscopic pores which dries and creates a robust adhesive bond. The ability of a single adhesive pad to support thousands of times their weight may be explored as a model for new biomimetic materials. In its native range, the vine has traditional medicinal uses (China, Korea) and as a culinary sweetener (Japan).

Both within and outside of East Asia, the plant is primarily used as an ornamental plant. Cultivars include 'Veitchii'. Like the related Virginia creeper, P. tricuspidata is widely grown to cover the façades of masonry buildings. This usage is actually economically important because, by shading walls during the summer, it can significantly reduce cooling costs. While it does not penetrate the building surface but merely attaches to it, nevertheless surface damage (such as paint scar) can occur from attempting to rip the plant from the wall.

Other Parthenocissus plants

Diverse Leaved Creeper · Silvervein creeper · Virginia creeper · Himalayan Woodbine