Virginia creeper – Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Virginia creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch.
Vitaceae (Grape family)
Life cycle
Perennial woody vine.
Leaves
Alternate, palmately compound usually with five leaflets, although leaves may consist of three to seven leaflets. Leaflets have toothed margins and turn deep red in the fall.
Tendrils
Branched three to eight times with adhesive disks at their tips that enable plants to grip and climb verticle surfaces.
Stems
Climbing woody vines with white pith. Young stems are red to green and turn brown with age.
Flowers and fruit
Flowers are small, inconspicuous and green to white. Fruit are small, blue to black, grapelike berries (drupes).
Reproduction
Seeds. Often dispersed by birds. Stems in contact with the ground may root.
