Skip to main content
  1. Species/

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Common Name: Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Vitales
Family: Vitaceae
Genus: Parthenocissus
Species: Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Conservation Status

Identifying Features

The leaves of this plant are toothed and it groups of five. When young, leaves are in groups of three and may be mistaken for poison ivy at first glance.

Habitat & Range

Virginia creeper is found throughout the US and southern Canada.

Behavior

This plant climbs, or creeps, as a vine. The vines are often thin, and have small roots that stick to the plant or object it is climbing.

Life Cycle

The flowers are in bloom from June to August. They are tiny, yellow-green, and clustered.

Fruit are small purple berries, that are poisonous to humans.

In the fall, the leaves turn bright red.

Featured image by James Dake.

Related

Ageratina altissima
White Snakeroot
Asarum canadense
Wild Ginger
Dicentra cucullaria
Dutchman’s Breeches