© Rebecca Blackmon, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Menispermum spp.
moonseed
Eastern North America and northeastern Asia
Overview
Menispermum is a small genus of deciduous, woody-based twining vines in the family Menispermaceae, with two species: M. canadense of eastern North America and M. dauricum of northeastern Asia. Stems twine over supports to 12-20 feet (3.5-6 m), dying back partly in colder climates and resprouting from a spreading rootstock. The alternate leaves are broad and shallowly palmately lobed, 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) across, with the leaf stalk attached just inside the margin. Small greenish-white flowers are carried in loose axillary clusters in early summer; plants are dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate individuals. Fertilized female flowers ripen to black, grape-like drupes about 0.3 inch (8 mm) wide, each containing a single flattened, crescent-shaped seed that gives the genus its common name, moonseed. All parts, and the fruit in particular, contain isoquinoline alkaloids that are poisonous if eaten, and the fruits have caused fatalities when mistaken for wild grapes. The genus spreads by rhizome and can form dense tangles over shrubs and fences. Plants tolerate a wide range of soils in sun or partial shade.
Native Range
Menispermum has a disjunct distribution across the Northern Hemisphere. M. canadense is native to woodland edges, stream banks, and thickets of eastern and central North America, while M. dauricum occurs in northeastern Asia, including northern China, Korea, Japan, and eastern Russia.Suggested Uses
Used to cover fences, arbors, and trellises in naturalistic and native-plant gardens, and for quick screening on banks where its spread is acceptable. The fruits feed some birds, which disperse the seed. Because all parts are poisonous, the genus is placed away from vegetable plots and play areas.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height12' - 20'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Bloom Information
Small greenish-white flowers appear in early summer, usually June to July, in loose clusters from the leaf axils. The flowers are inconspicuous, with male and female borne on separate plants. Wind and small insects accomplish pollination.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plants grow in full sun to partial shade and accept clay, loam, or sandy soils across a wide pH range, provided drainage is reasonable. Established vines withstand short dry spells but grow most strongly in moist ground. The spreading rootstock sends up new shoots at a distance from the parent, and stems root where they touch moist soil, so plants can move beyond their intended space. A sturdy support carries the twining stems, which have no clinging tendrils or aerial roots. Growth is vigorous once established, and annual thinning controls the tangle of stems. All parts are poisonous, so the genus is grown away from areas used for foraging or by young children.Pruning
Pruning is done in late winter while the plant is dormant, cutting stems back to control spread and remove dead or crowded growth. Because the vine resprouts readily from the base and rhizome, hard cutting does not kill established plants. Suckers arising at a distance are severed to limit colonization.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter