Virginia creeper
September 16, 2015
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch.
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.
Compound leaves of Virginia creeper.
Tendrils
Branched three to eight times with adhesive disks at their tips that enable plants to grip and climb vertical surfaces.
Virginia creeper tendril.
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).
Virginia creeper fruit.
Reproduction
Seeds. Often dispersed by birds. Stems in contact with the ground may root.
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