Ohio’s Noxious Weeds
Grapevines
Vitis spp., grapevines
Family: Grapevine, Vitaceae.
Habitat: Woods, abandoned sites.
Life cycle: Woody perennial.
Growth Habit: Vining growth habit.
Leaves: Large, rounded, lobed leaves.
Stem: Green and smooth in young plants, but later becomes brown and woody, twisting with peeling bark. Look for woody or green tendrils which can coil around other vegetation.
Fruit: Small grapes in clusters. If the vine has been abandoned for some time, there will probably be no fruit.
The problem is…. These stout vines can smother trees and forest vegetation. Grapevines are only considered a noxious weed if they are growing in groups of 100 or more and are not maintained for two consecutive years.