Common Name: Climbing Hempvine

Scientific Name: scandens

Order:

Family:

Wetland Status: Facultative in the Southeast; Obligatory in the North and Midwest

Ecology & Description Climbing hempvine is a common herbaceous in the eastern . It is a perennial species of vine that usually grows in twins, but also sometimes uncommonly as a shrub. Climbing hempvine can be commonly found covering vegetation such as small trees and thickets, often becoming very dense. The stem is slender above, 4-angled, with very little to no hair on the stem. The base of this vine comes from a semi-woody rootcrown, also possessing diffuse roots that spread laterally. The leaves (3-14 cm long and 2-9 cm wide) on this vine are heart-shaped, or cordate, with sometimes toothed blades, and also with an opposite leaf arrangement. These cordate leaves are palmately veined with the veins extending from the petioles. This vine blooms between July and October in most places, although in it is said to bloom year round. The plant blooms with white or pinkish flowers, all tubular, crowded in round-topped panicles of 4 flowers. Each flower is about 4 mm long, and grows in clusters 2-8 cm wide. The seeds are encased in oblong nutlets, which are found in clusters. This fruit is a plumed achene that does not open, so the seed is dispersed along with the achene. These achenes begin green, then black when mature, are about 1.5-2.5 mm long. The fuzzy, very light nutlet is dispersed in the wind, water, or sometimes accidentally dispersed on clothing or animal fur.

Habitat Climbing hempvine thrives in wet habitats and can be found at low elevations usually near lakes, marshes, and swamps.

Distribution Climbing hempvine is found in most states east of the Mississippi River, but particularly in Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and .

Native/Invasive Status Climbing hempvine is native to the Southeastern United States. It is considered endangered in Indiana, threatened in New Hampshire, and possibly extirpated in and Michigan. Alternatively, it is considered a noxious weed in Hawaii.

Wildlife Uses Climbing hempvine has no reported wildlife value.

Management & Control Techniques There are no reported conservation or control techniques, as the species has a secure conservation status.

References Burnham, R. J. 2013. . CLIMBERS: Censusing Lianas In Mesic Biomes of Eastern Regions, University of Michigan. Online. Accessed 14 April 2015. Miller, J. H. and K. V. Miller. 1999. Forest of the Southeast and their Wildlife Uses. The University of Georgia Press, Athens, GA. 454 pp.

This document was authored by Scott McClellan, School of Forestry, Louisiana Tech University, April 2015.