Virginia Creeper

(Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

Vitaceae (Grape Family)

 Parthenocissus quinquefolia:  Virginia Creeper

Location near campus:  growing on fence along alley south of campus that runs north of the houses along Loren St.

·         leaves palmately compound, alternate, deciduous with dark green glossy color in summer; leaflets turn bright orange to red in fall

·         leaflets lanceolate with serrate/dentate margins toward tips; 4-8” long and 1/3 as wide

·         stems round, light brown with prominent lenticels and concave leaf scars; has tendril-like structures with clinging tips for climbing structures

·         fast growth rate, up to 30-50’ tall with much branching, if on walls

·         flowers not significant; fruit is a blue-black glaucous berry which is somewhat showy after leaves fall

·         very adaptable to soil type and sun exposure; reseeds & grows easily anywhere, but somewhat difficult to transplant once established—best if container-grown plants used in new establishments

·         native to Missouri