bushkiller; sorrel vine
Cayratia japonica (Thunb. ex Murray) Gagnep.
(Vitaceae)

Cayratia japonica is a herbaceous vine that climbs by means of branched tendrils.  Cayratia is native to Japan, Malaysia, and New Caledonia, and is established to some extent along the Gulf coast and sparingly in the Carolinas in the United States.  It is not known to be spontaneous in Arkansas.  Although not a woody plant, this species is included on this website because it is sometimes cultivated and can aggressively spread from cultivation, and because of its similarity to another member of the Vitaceae family, the native Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia; see fig. H for a leaf comparison between the two species).  Cayratia can be distinguished from P. quinquefolia by its leaves that are pedately compound [the lateral leaflets (two per side) form a small pinna on each side of the leaf].  The leaves of P. quinquefolia are once palmately compound.  Cayratia rapidly spreads vegetatively from an aggressive and invasive root system.  A single plant can quickly cover a large area, including the existent vegetation.  Cayratia is not known to reproduce sexually in the United States (fruit production has not been documented). 

Figures for Cayratia japonica:
A-B. plant;
C. tendril;
D-G. leaves;
H. leaf comparison between Cayratia (right) and Parthenocissus (left);
I-K. flowers;
L. large plant with leaves and flowers;
M. plant climbing over other vegetation;
N. plant spreading in lawn.

List of Species with the Potential to Become Spontaneous or Naturalized

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