What plant is Parthenocissus
Between the exterior walls of urban buildings and natural rocks, a winding green plant can often be seen. Its unique growth method and seasonal color changes are eye-catching. This vine, known as the "natural curtain wall", has become an important species in the field of vertical greening due to its special biological characteristics. The plant attributes of Parthenocissus tricuspidata are revealed. The scientific name of the species is Parthenocissus tricuspidata. It belongs to the genus Parthenocissus in the family Viticulaceae. There are 17 subspecies distributed throughout the north and south of my country. Folk people give the image multiple nicknames based on its growth characteristics: when the stems and vines climb the rock wall, it is called "Banshi Dragon", the leaves turn red in late autumn, it is named "Red Grape Vine", and in the Bashu area, it is called "Bashan Tiger". Stem structure and climbing mechanism lignified stems can have a diameter of up to 4 cm, and the epidermis is densely covered with aerial roots and sucker structures. Each suction cup can generate an adsorption force of 12kg/cm2, which achieves stable adhesion by secreting organic acidic substances and dissolving calcium carbonate components. This characteristic makes it an ideal choice for greening exterior walls of buildings. Analysis of leaf morphology characteristics The variation rules of leaf type The base leaves are mostly palmate trilobed, and the middle and upper parts gradually transition to a simple leaf shape. A typical leaf aspect ratio is 1.2:1, and the leaf area fluctuates between 35 and 200cm². Six leaf type variations, including oval, heart-shaped, and kidney-shaped, can appear in the same plant. This morphological diversity enhances adaptability to different light conditions. Pigment metabolism characteristics Mesophyll cells contain a dynamic balance system of anthocyanins and carotenoids. The chlorophyll content remains at 3.2 mg/g in spring and summer. After autumn, the disintegration of chloroplasts triggers the pigment conversion mechanism. The color change process starts after 48 hours below 10℃, and finally presents an orange-red to scarlet ornamental effect. Experimental data on environmental tolerance threshold of ecological adaptability study show that this species can survive in soil pH 4.5 -8.2, with a cold tolerance limit of-34 ℃ (USDA 4 area), and a drought tolerance period of up to 45 days. Its stomatal opening and closing regulation mechanism can reduce the transpiration rate to 17% of the normal value, and it can still maintain good growth on the west sun-exposed walls of the building. Urban ecological function-intensive leaf curtains can reduce the surface temperature of buildings by 8-12 ° C, and the PM2.5 adsorption capacity reaches 35μg/cm²·month. Its three-dimensional greening system provides a habitat for insects of 12 orders and 37 families, significantly improving the urban biodiversity index.
From botany characteristics to ecological value, this climbing plant has demonstrated amazing environmental adaptability. The morphological plasticity of its leaves not only creates unique landscape effects, but also contains evolutionary wisdom to deal with climate change, and continues to play an important role in urban ecological construction.