Identifying characteristics:
A close relative of the grape (Vitis sp.), the Virginia creeper is
a deciduous, woody-stemmed, creeping vine which can reach a length of 30
or 50 feet or more, depending on the nature of support to which it attaches
itself. It climbs by means of branching tendrils which develop adhesive
disks upon contact with any surface. "Parthenocissus" derives
from the Greek words "parthenos" (virgin) and "kissos"
(ivy), and "quinquefolia" (5-leafed) refers to the 5 leaflets
of the palmately compound, alternate leaves.
The stalked, coarsely-serrated leaflets are 1.5 to 4 inches long. Leaves
emerge waxy bronze to red, becoming shiny and dark green above, and waxy
beneath. This species is the first of all woody plants to exhibit brilliant
coloring in the fall, turning crimson to purplish-red, then fading to light
pink. Inconspicuous, greenish-white, bisexual (or occasionally unisexual)
flowers are produced in flat-topped clusters (cymes) in June and
July, and are usually hidden by the foliage. By September and October, the
flower stalks turn bright red and bear dark, bluish-black berries
covered with a white, powdery substance on the surface. The berries are
0.25 inches in diameter and are often only noticed once the leaves have
fallen. The brownish buds are round to conical, with 2 or 3 scales
visible.
Similar species:
- poison ivy (Rhus radicans)
- Boston creeper (P. tricuspidata)
Ecology:
Distribution: There are about 15 species in the genus native to temperate
North America and Asia. The Virginia creeper is native from New England
to Florida, west to Ohio, Illinois and Missouri. It is also found in parts
of Mexico.
Habitat: This creeper occurs in moist, sunny locations, especially along fencerows, roadsides and stream banks. It prefers well-drained soils, but will tolerate almost any soil, even a certain amount of salt. It thrives in full sun and full shade, and withstands windy conditions and city pollution. The Virginia creeper is a very vigorous grower, although pests and diseases, including powdery mildew, canker, leaf spot, scale, leafhoppers, and other insects may become problematic.
Uses:
Wildlife: The fruits persist on the plant into winter and are a valuable
source of fall and winter food for many wildlife species. Songbirds
that enjoy the fruits include mockingbirds, bluebirds, robins, piliated
woodpeckers and thrushes. Rabbits, foxes and skunks also eat the berries.
The Virginia creeper is the most important food plant of our 3 most common
sphinx moths.
Horticulture: Birds freely disperse the seeds and this species can become a weed in certain areas. If used properly, however, it is a valuable cover for trellises, tree stumps, walls and rock piles. It is planted on many campuses to enhance the appearance of older buildings. The adhesive disks may mark walls with a residue that is almost impossible to remove. The variety "engelmannii" has smaller leaflets and the variety "saint-paulii" is similar, but clings better. A similar species, P. vitaceae, more common in northwestern Iowa, differs from the Virginia creeper in having larger leaves which stand erect (to 1 foot tall) from stems that creep along the forest floor, seldom climbing vegetation. Other native species include the thicket creeper (P. inserta), with 5 leaflets, but without disks; and Boston ivy (P. tricuspidata), with 3-lobed leaves, adhesive disks and purple berries.
