Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Copyright, Mark Brand
Virginia Creeper is a
climbing vine,
which can grow up to 50 feet. It is identified by its
leaves,
which have five leaflets. Leaves are green, but are
tinted with red when they first grow. In the Fall, all the
leaves turn deep red. Leaflets are three to seven inches
long, and up to two inches wide. This plant is often confused with Poison Ivy, which it frequently grows alongside of. Poison Ivy has only three leaflets, and its leaves have only a few teeth, or not teeth at all. Virginia Creeper always has teeth on its leaves. Virginia Creeper can not
only grow as a vine up tree trunks and walls, but it can
stand alone. It will send out runners along the ground, and
quickly cover the area. Virginia Creeper is very
fast growing. It can choke a tree or shrub
if not controlled. Virginia Creeper blooms
from June through August. Flowers are tiny, yellowish-green,
and clustered. Fruits are purplish-black
berries, about 1/4 inch across. Copyright, Mark
Brand Copyright, Mark
Brand Alice B.
Russell Virginia Creeper can grow
just about anywhere. It grows in forests, fields,
gardens, and along banks of streams or lakes. It can grow in
shade or sun. Virginia Creeper grows up
tree trunks and other surfaces by grabbing on with
tendrils.
Tendrils are like little arms that grab. Virgnia Creeper
tendrils have little adhesive pads at the end that stick to
the surface. The berries of this plant
are eaten by many animals, especially birds, including:
Eastern Bluebird, Northern Cardinal, chickadees,
woodpeckers, and Turkey. Other animals, such as mice,
skunks, chipmunks, squirrels, and deer eat them too.
White-tailed Deer also munch on the leaves and
stems. Virginia Creeper berries
are poisonous
to humans. Many moth
caterpillars,
such as the Giant Leopard Moth, eat the leaves. Because of its thick
foliage (leaves), this plant is great cover
for small animals. Virginia Creeper will
grow up just about any pine tree or hardwood tree, such as
oaks and hickories. It will also grow over most shrubs. This
species will become a parasite, and often slowly kill the
host it grows on.
