Parthenocissus quinquefolia

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Virginia creeper
Virginia creeper Parthenocissus quinquifolia 169.JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Vitales
Family: Vitaceae
Genus: Parthenocissus
Species:
P. quinquefolia
Binomial name
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Synonyms

Ampelopsis hederacea Ehrh. [1]
Ampelopsis quinquefolia Michx.

Contents

Parthenocissus quinquefolia, known as Virginia creeper, Victoria creeper, five-leaved ivy, or five-finger, is a species of flowering vine in the grape family, Vitaceae. It is native to eastern and central North America, from southeastern Canada and the eastern United States west to Manitoba and Utah, and south to eastern Mexico and Guatemala.

Etymology

"Parthenocissus" is derived from Greek and means "virgin ivy". [2] "Quinquefolia" means "five-leaved". "Quinque" – "five" and "folia" – "foliage", "leaves". [2]

Names

The name "Virginia creeper", referring to one of its native locations, is also used for the whole genus Parthenocissus , and for other species within the genus. The name Parthenocissus is from the Greek literally meaning "virgin ivy", and may derive from the common English name of this species. [3] It is not closely related to the true ivy, Hedera . The specific epithet quinquefolia means "five-leaved", referring to the leaflets on each compound (palmate) leaf. [4]

This plant is also known in North America as woodbine, [5] although woodbine can refer to other plant species.

Description

Leaves Parthenocissus quinquefolia foliage.jpg
Leaves

Parthenocissus quinquefolia is a prolific deciduous climber, reaching heights of 20–30 m (70–100 ft) in the wild. It climbs smooth surfaces using small forked tendrils tipped with small strongly adhesive pads 5 mm (316 in) in size. [6]

Leaves

The leaves are palmately compound, composed of five leaflets (rarely three leaflets, particularly on younger vines, and sometimes seven) joined from a central point on the leafstalk, and range from 3 to 20 cm (1 to 8 in) (rarely to 30 cm or 12 in) across. The leaflets have a toothed margin. Seedlings have heart-shaped cotyledon leaves. The species is often confused with P. vitacea or "False Virginia creeper", which has the same leaves, but does not have the adhesive pads at the end of its tendrils.

It is sometimes mistaken for Toxicodendron radicans (poison ivy), despite having five leaflets (poison ivy has three). [7] While the leaves of P. quinquefolia do not produce urushiol, the sap within the leaves and stem contains raphides (needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate) which can puncture the skin causing irritation and blisters in sensitive people. [8]

The leaves sometimes turn a decorative bright red in the fall.

Flowers and berries

The flowers are small and greenish, produced in inconspicuous clusters in late spring, and mature in late summer or early fall into small hard purplish-black berries 5 to 7 mm (316 to 14 in) diameter. These berries contain toxic amounts of oxalic acid and have been known to cause kidney damage and death to humans. [9] [10] [8] The berries are not toxic to birds and provide an important winter food source for many bird species.

Cultivation and uses

Climbing roots with adhesive pads, which are absent in P. vitacea Parthenocissus quinquefolia, hegwortels, Manie van der Schijff BT, a.jpg
Climbing roots with adhesive pads, which are absent in P. vitacea

Parthenocissus quinquefolia is grown as an ornamental plant, because of its ability to rapidly cover walls and buildings, and its deep red to burgundy fall (autumn) foliage. [11] It can easily be propagated by stem cuttings taken in spring. [12]

It is frequently seen covering telephone poles or trees. It may kill other plants it covers by shading its support and thus limiting the supporting plants' ability to photosynthesize. With its aggressive growth, it can overburden slower-growing understory trees with its weight, damaging them. Its ability to propagate via its extensive root system makes it difficult to eradicate. [13] [14]

In the UK, this plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as an invasive non-native species. While this does not prevent it from being sold in the UK, or from being grown in gardens, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) encourages those that do grow it to take great care with managing it and with disposing of unwanted material. The RHS also encourages gardeners to find alternative plants to grow to those listed on Schedule 9. [15]

Parthenocissus quinquefolia can be used as a shading vine for buildings on masonry walls. Because the vine, like its relative P. tricuspidata (Boston ivy), adheres to the surface by disks rather than penetrating roots, it does not harm the masonry but will keep a building cooler by shading the wall surface during the summer. As with ivy, ripping the plant from the wall will leave the adhesive disks behind. If the plant clings to fragile surfaces it can first be killed by severing the vine from the root. The adhesive pads will then eventually deteriorate and release their grip.

The plant should be trimmed regularly to keep it from growing into areas where it is not wanted. If allowed to penetrate into the wall of a frame house, it will grow upward within the wall until it finds a place to emerge. The roots can penetrate a rock foundation and grow into the basement of an old house, extending long distances in search of moisture, and growing into floor cracks or drains. [16] [17]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vitaceae</span> Family of flowering plants that includes grapes and Virginia creeper

The Vitaceae are a family of flowering plants, with 14 genera and around 910 known species, including common plants such as grapevines and Virginia creeper. The family name is derived from the genus Vitis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vine</span> Plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent stems or runners

A vine is any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent stems, lianas or runners. The word vine can also refer to such stems or runners themselves, for instance, when used in wicker work.

<i>Toxicodendron radicans</i> Species of plant

Toxicodendron radicans, commonly known as eastern poison ivy or poison ivy, is an allergenic Asian and Eastern North American flowering plant in the genus Toxicodendron. The species is well known for causing urushiol-induced contact dermatitis, an itchy, irritating, and sometimes painful rash, in most people who touch it. The rash is caused by urushiol, a clear liquid compound in the plant's sap. The species is variable in its appearance and habit, and despite its common name, it is not a true ivy (Hedera), but rather a member of the cashew and pistachio family (Anacardiaceae). T. radicans is commonly eaten by many animals and the seeds are consumed by birds, but poison ivy is most often thought of as an unwelcome weed. It is a different species from western poison ivy, T. rydbergii, which has similar effects.

<i>Campsis radicans</i> Species of vine

Campsis radicans, the trumpet vine, yellow trumpet vine, or trumpet creeper, is a species of flowering plant in the family Bignoniaceae, native to eastern North America, and naturalized elsewhere. Growing to 10 metres, it is a vigorous, deciduous woody vine, notable for its showy trumpet-shaped flowers. It inhabits woodlands and riverbanks, and is also a popular garden plant.

<i>Hedera</i> Genus of flowering plants in the family Araliaceae

Hedera, commonly called ivy, is a genus of 12–15 species of evergreen climbing or ground-creeping woody plants in the family Araliaceae, native to Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe, Macaronesia, northwestern Africa and across central-southern Asia east to Japan and Taiwan.

<i>Parthenocissus tricuspidata</i> Species of grapevine

Parthenocissus tricuspidata is a flowering plant in the grape family (Vitaceae) native to eastern Asia in Korea, Japan, and northern and eastern China. Although unrelated to true ivy, it is commonly known as Boston ivy, grape ivy, and Japanese ivy, and also as Japanese creeper, and by the name woodbine.

<i>Parthenocissus</i> Genus of grapevines

Parthenocissus, is a genus of tendril climbing plants in the grape family, Vitaceae. It contains about 12 species native to the Himalayas, eastern Asia and North America. Several are grown for ornamental use, notably P. henryana, P. quinquefolia and P. tricuspidata.

<i>Parthenocissus inserta</i> Species of vine

Parthenocissus inserta, also known as thicket creeper, false Virginia creeper, woodbine, or grape woodbine, is a woody vine native to North America, in southeastern Canada and a large area of the United States, from Maine west to Montana and south to New Jersey and Missouri in the east, and Texas to Arizona in the west. It is present in California, but it may be an introduced species that far west. It is introduced in Europe.

<i>Hedera helix</i> Species of flowering plant

Hedera helix, the common ivy, English ivy, European ivy, or just ivy, is a species of flowering plant of the ivy genus in the family Araliaceae, native to most of Europe and western Asia. A rampant, clinging evergreen vine, it is a familiar sight in gardens, waste spaces, and wild areas, where it grows on walls, fences, tree trunks, etc. across its native and introduced habitats. As a result of its hardy nature, and its tendency to grow readily without human assistance, ivy attained popularity as an ornamental plant, but escaped plants have become naturalised outside its native range and grow unchecked in myriad wild and cultivated areas.

<i>Cobaea scandens</i> Species of vine

Cobaea scandens, the cup-and-saucer vine, cathedral bells, Mexican ivy, or monastery bells, is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family Polemoniaceae. It is native to Mexico, with isolated sightings elsewhere in tropical central and South America.

<i>Euonymus fortunei</i> Species of flowering plant

Euonymus fortunei, the spindle, Fortune's spindle, winter creeper or wintercreeper, is a species of flowering plant in the family Celastraceae, native to east Asia, including China, Korea, the Philippines and Japan. It is named after the Scottish botanist and plant explorer Robert Fortune. E. fortunei is highly invasive and damaging in the United States, causing the death of trees and forest in urban areas.

<i>Eumorpha achemon</i> Species of moth

Eumorpha achemon, the Achemon sphinx, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Dru Drury in 1773.

<i>Lathyrus sylvestris</i> Species of legume

Lathyrus sylvestris, the flat pea or narrow-leaved everlasting-pea, is a species of flowering plant in the pea and bean family Fabaceae. It is native to parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia.

<i>Lathyrus vernus</i> Species of legume

Lathyrus vernus, the spring vetchling, spring pea, or spring vetch, is a species of flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the genus Lathyrus, native to forests of Europe and Siberia. It forms a dense clump of pointed leaves with purple flowers in spring, shading to a greenish-blue with age.

<i>Causonis japonica</i> Species of vine

Causonis japonica is the type species of vine plant in its genus and is native to Tropical and Subtropical Asia, Australia and the West Pacific. It is used as a traditional Chinese medicine to relieve swelling and heat, and to enhance diuresis and detoxification.

Woodbine may refer to:

<i>Parthenocissus henryana</i> Species of vine

Parthenocissus henryana is a species of flowering plant in the vine family Vitaceae, native to China.

<i>Rhoicissus tomentosa</i> Species of grapevine

Rhoicissus tomentosa is a vigorous, evergreen vine that is indigenous to the afro-montane forests of southern Africa. It is increasingly popular as an ornamental creeper in gardens, and it has a wide range of uses in traditional medicine.

<i>Pyrostegia venusta</i> Species of vine

Pyrostegia venusta, also commonly known as flamevine or orange trumpet vine, is a plant species of the genus Pyrostegia of the family Bignoniaceae originally native to southern Brazil, Bolivia, northeastern Argentina and Paraguay; today, it is also a widely cultivated garden species.

<i>Ampelopsis glandulosa</i> Species of vine

Ampelopsis glandulosa, with common names creeper, porcelain berry, Amur peppervine, and wild grape, is an ornamental plant, native to temperate areas of Asia including China, Japan, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Vietnam, and the Philippines. It is generally similar to, and potentially confused with, grape species and other Ampelopsis species.

References

  1. "Virginia Creeper Ampelopsis hederacea Parthenocissus quinquefolia". Gardenvisit.com. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  2. 1 2 Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. ISBN   9780521866453 (hardback), ISBN   9780521685535 (paperback). pp 292, 324
  3. Coombes, Allen J. (2012). The A to Z of plant names . USA: Timber Press. pp.  312. ISBN   9781604691962.
  4. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN   9781845337315.
  5. Kenny, Hamill (1945). West Virginia Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning, Including the Nomenclature of the Streams and Mountains. Piedmont, WV: The Place Name Press. p. 690.
  6. "USDA Plants Database: Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch. Virginia creeper". United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  7. Beach, Chandler B., ed. (1914). "Virginia Creeper"  . The New Student's Reference Work  . Chicago: F. E. Compton and Co.
  8. 1 2 "Plant Guide: VIRGINIA CREEPER Parthenocissus quinquefolia" (PDF). United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  9. Tull, Delena (2013). Edible and useful plants of the Southwest (Revised ed.). pp. 184–185. ISBN   978-0292748279.
  10. "FDA Poisonous Plant Database". Food and Drug Administration . Archived from the original on September 11, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  11. "Virginia Creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia". Wisconsin Horticulture.
  12. How to Grow and Care for Virginia Creeper The Spruce
  13. Tilton, Lois (March 13, 2013). "The Invaders: Virginia Creeper". www.davesgarden.com. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  14. "Virginia Creeper: Ornamental or Nuisance?". Anoka County Master Gardeners. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  15. "Invasive non-native plants". Royal Horticultural Society . Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  16. "Facade Greening: Damage caused by Ivy and other Climbing Plants to Buildings". www.fassadengruen.de.
  17. "Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper)". Gardenia.net.