Virginia Creeper

Common Name: Virginia Creeper
Species Name: Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Plant Type: Woody
Family Name: Vitaceae, Grape Family


Plant Facts
Origin	Eastern half of North America and south to Mexico
Sun Preference	Full Sun
Duration	Perennial
Distribution in the U.S.	Eastern half as far west as southeastern South Dakota, eastern Nebraska, Kansas and Texas
Distribution in Oklahoma	Throughout the state

ID Characteristics

Field Identification Characteristics
Vegetative
- Readily recognized by “leaves of 5”; leaves serrated
- Climbing stems with branched tendrils
- Bright red foliage in fall
Floral
- Produces clusters of black to blue-black berries
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
- Plant Height: 100-foot height
- Leaves: Alternate, palmately compound, 3-5 leaflets, elliptic to obovate-oblong, 1.5-4 inches long, 0.5-2.5 inches wide, coarsely
- Growth Form: Woody vines
- Leaf Type: Compound, palmately
- Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
- Leaf Blade Edge: Serrated
- Leaf Blade Length: 7-15 centimeters
Floral Characteristics
- Petal Number: 4-5
- Flower Color: Green
- Flower Timing: May-June
- Fruit Type: Berries


Habitat/Ecology
Habitat	Attached to the trunks of trees and forming large masses of foliage in their crowns, forest edges and openings
Soil Preference	Moist, well-drained sand, loam, clay and rocky soil; adapted to most soil conditions
USDA Cold Hardiness Zone	3
Successional Stage	Mid to late
Notes	Fast growth rate; salt tolerant