Description
Menispermum canadense is a dioecious, scrambling, twining (no tendrils), woody vine.
Menispermum canadense is a flowering plant in the family Menispermaceae, native to eastern North America, from southern Canada south to northern Florida, and from the Atlantic coast west to Manitoba and Texas. This woody vine, climbing adjacent objects and vegetation by its twining stems.
Young stems are green to brownish red and slightly hairy, while older stems become hairless and woody. The alternate leaves are palmately lobed. Occasionally, panicles of whitish to yellowish green flowers are produced along the non-woody stems.Plant Specifications
| Common Name | Common moonseed |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 8 to 20 feet |
| Flower Colour | Greenish-white |
| Bloom Time | May to July |
| Difficulty Level | Easy to grow |
Planting and care
Menispermum canadense care
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 5-8 where it is best grown in sandy, moderately fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Avoid full sun in hot summer climates. Plants grow well in sun dappled conditions. Plants spread by rhizomes.
| Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Watering | Medium |
| Soil | Well-drained soil |
| Temperature | This species is hardy to about -30 degrees c. This can be cut to the ground at temperatures around-5 to -10 degrees c. |
| Fertilizer | Apply any organic fertilizer |
Menispermum canadense special feature
Typically grown as a twining vine on a support structure. May be grown along the ground as a ground cover (infrequently done for ornamental reasons) in woodland areas, cottage gardens or naturalized areas. Also helps prevent soil erosion on banks.
Menispermum canadense uses
Ornamental Use:
- The plant is used for an ornamental purpose