Print Report

A4082 Pueraria montana - Wisteria sinensis Exotic Ruderal Vine-Shrubland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance encompasses a variety of vine-dominated vegetation that occurs in the eastern United States on sites that were cleared and the soils disturbed (e.g., old fields, abandoned quarries, old homesteads).

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Kudzu - Chinese Wisteria Exotic Ruderal Vine-Shrubland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Eastern Exotic Ruderal Vine-Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance encompasses a variety of vine-dominated vegetation that occurs in the eastern United States on sites that were cleared and the soils disturbed (e.g., old fields, abandoned quarries, old homesteads). Stands may be composed of exotic vine species, particularly Pueraria montana var. lobata and Wisteria sinensis. These are combinations of taxa for which no natural analog exists in North America.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance encompasses a variety of exotic vine-dominated vegetation that occurs on disturbed sites in the eastern United States.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: These are combinations of taxa for which no natural analog exists in North America. Penfound (1967) states: "It is probable that many plant ecologists will object to vinelands as discrete communities. However, those who have lived in the deep south, and have seen Japanese honeysuckle and kudzu vine overwhelm forest trees and prevent forest regeneration, will not be among the doubters. Even native vines may injure or destroy some trees by climbing to the tree-tops and shading out the branches beneath. It should be emphasized, however, that vinelands are rare, and of limited extent, except in southeastern United States." This group now contains a Rubus - Prunus - Cornus alliance, a vine-shrubland alliance, and an exotic bamboo alliance.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Exotic vines that may form stands in successional environments include the genera Pueraria and Wisteria. Pueraria montana var. lobata and Wisteria sinensis are the species most typically encountered.

Dynamics:  Pueraria montana var. lobata and Wisteria sinensis can overwhelm forest trees and prevent forest regeneration. Even native vines may injure or destroy some trees by climbing to the tree-tops and shading out the branches beneath (Penfound 1967).
Environmental Description:  No Data Available
Geographic Range: This vegetation is found across the eastern United States.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass S18 2.B
Formation 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation F012 2.B.2
Division 2.B.2.Nh Southeastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division D102 2.B.2.Nh
Macrogroup 2.B.2.Nh.90 Broomsedge Bluestem - Blackberry species - Annual Ragweed Southeastern Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland Macrogroup M307 2.B.2.Nh.90
Group 2.B.2.Nh.90.a Broomsedge Bluestem - Annual Ragweed - Sawtooth Blackberry Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland Group G583 2.B.2.Nh.90.a
Alliance A4082 Kudzu - Chinese Wisteria Exotic Ruderal Vine-Shrubland Alliance A4082 2.B.2.Nh.90.a
Association CEGL003882 Kudzu Ruderal Vine-Shrubland CEGL003882 2.B.2.Nh.90.a
Association CEGL008568 Chinese Wisteria Ruderal Vine-Shrubland CEGL008568 2.B.2.Nh.90.a
Concept Lineage: The two associations placed here come from two old alliances of which they are the only members, A.904 (1/1) and A.2013 (1/1).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Vinelands, herbaceous, Kudzu-vine (Penfound 1967)
Concept Author(s): M. Pyne, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2014)

Author of Description: M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: We acknowledge the previous work done by Sally Landaal, Karen Patterson, and Alan Weakley, who wrote an earlier version of the alliance or association descriptions, or who provided significant descriptive information, and on which we have based our version.

Version Date: 03-14-14
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
  • Penfound, W. T. 1967. A physiognomic classification of vegetation in conterminous United States. Botanical Review 33:289-320.