Boston Ivy
Parthenocissus tricuspidata
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Vitaceae
- Genus:
- Parthenocissus
- Species:
- Parthenocissus tricuspidata
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Vine
- Height:
- More than 40 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug, sep, oct, nov
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, green, red
Native Range
United States: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Canada: Ontario
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Abbott's sphinx (Sphecodina abbottii), Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), brilliant grapeleaf skeletonizer (Harrisina brillians), Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidoides), Eight-spotted Forester (Alypia octomaculata), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae), lesser grape root borer (Vitacea scepsiformis), Lesser grapevine looper (Eulithis diversilineata), Lettered Sphinx (Deidamia inscriptum), Nessus sphinx (Amphion floridensis), Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in diverse soil types but prefers fertile conditions